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JAVELIN

THE JOURNAL OF

12 GROUP

ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS

ASSOCIATION March 2015

URGENT

Please see page 25 for subscription renewals they are now due See also Page 21 for AGM nominations and meal booking

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Editor’s Notes I am delighted to include in this edition another contribution by Brian Parkes giving some memories of his time in the Corps. Having seen the picture of Roy Dixon in the last edition some people suggested I reprint the original article from the ROC journal of Oct 87 about the trip which I include below though I don’t have available the original pictures. It also gives me the long awaited opportunity to correct a printing error in the original as well as confess to a minor incident. As you can see I have a different Javelin on the cover this time. I spotted this one while on a visit to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford late last year where this poor chap was still on duty! While we were there we talked to somebody giving a guided tour and he used to be on the post at Rhoose unfortunately we didn’t get his name. Duxford proved much easier to get to than expected as it is just on the side of the M11 so simply M4, M25 & M11 gets you there if you don’t mind a bit of motorway driving. A few interesting snippets about the ROC Medal have been found by Trish, and I at long last include an item about Bristol time which I originally wrote after seeing an item in the 10 Group magazine a year or so ago.

Lawrence Holmes of 10 Group has written an overview of an article in the Britain at War magazine from January this year which has a significance to the ROC that cannot be missed. The names Joyce and Murray Whitcher are not ones that I expected to be typing in the news section but Murray casts a long shadow, well he was rather tall!. The Trowbridge RAFA branch of which he was a member has decided to honour him with a memorial stone in the RAFA grove at the National Arboretum. The RAFA grove is next to the ROCA grove. The dedication is expected to be June 19th. Meanwhile Joyce’s ROC long service medal is now on public display at Bentley Priory,. I am sure you will agree this is quite a pair of honours for them. I include a picture of Joyce’s medal by the article on page 6. Over the last few months many people have said how much the like the Javelin as if I was responsible. I’m NOT, it is thanks to all of you who have contributed items, it’s your Javelin not mine, I can only put out what comes in so please send me your items, email, typed or handwritten I don’t mind. Anything you wish to have returned will be. Sadly I have to record the passing of C/Obs Pam Stone who died 23rd January. Pam was a member of Crew 2 at 12 Group Control.

Finally I include the Obituary for John Mattock whose passing was reported in the December newsletter.

Also there are some dates for your diary listed.

Chris Shire

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THE R.O.C. and MOD Porton Down

Having read Peter Trowbridge’s report on the possibility of “gas proofing” an ROC Post it did in fact bring back thoughts of earlier co-operation between the two organisations. Metropolitan Area HQ at that time were based at RADRE Langhurst establishment near Horsham where testing of many forms and types of flares and explosives took place for MOD. No 14 Group were asked to supply about 25 Observers for 3 nights to attend at Porton from 2100 until about 0100 the next day. When we arrived at Porton we were all briefed and supplied with an individual tape recorder to use. We were then put in a series of 4x4 lorries and driven to various locations in the area. We were told to report all we saw, including any vehicles and persons. The other thing I remember was that each lorry was given a full large tea urn which we soon found that somebody had to sit on it, to stop it tipping over! When dropped off the 4x4 we were placed about 20 yards apart and then asked to watch. The weather on all of the nights, had a fairly low cloud base probably about 500 ft or below. The first thing we saw was a coloured light in the cloud getting brighter slowly descending and as it did so we could see tanks and other vehicles parked on the ground and various other items, some quite clear, others not so. This was then repeated several times and the items on the ground were moved and changed. Some observers were given various glasses to use at different times. What was interesting was later to find that your nearest observer sometimes could not see anything and vice versa. The light tended to stop when about 50 ft from the ground and it continued to change colour. We think some “flares” were attached to a balloon whist others may have been released on a parachute, as a helicopter could be heard at times. We were thanked afterwards when the recordings from our recorders had been downloaded and the results compared and later were told that the results would be very helpful in the future. Side effects were, one tea urn lost, as it was rather hot to sit on and the following week’s media reported the “Warminster” thing had been sighted over the Plain again!

Brian Parkes

Now where is that Post? We recently had an interesting enquiry on the heritage website (www.roc-heritage.co.uk) which Lawrence Holmes answered in his own inimitable way, I thought you might be interested to see the interesting places where some Posts were located (information courtesy of Lawrence). N1/4 Group Ascot post 1940 sited on Ascot racecourse in Grandstand Tower. E4/17 Group Windsor Post sited in Brunswick Tower, Windsor Castle. Also nuclear post located in former coal cellar beneath the Castle. B2/15 Group On Brewery Roof ! J2/32 Group Rockliffe Post sited on roof of Carlisle Castle. A2/21 Group Hatherleigh Post sited on roof of a folly resembling a castle. This folly is still there in Devon. H1/9 Group Gillingham Post 1953 sited on Malthouse Brewery roof. Post abandoned following a brewery fire. E3/30 Group Easington Post located in St Johns Church Tower. C3/18 Group Brightlingsea Post on Batenicus Tower, West Mareg Point. W2/10 Group Pinhoe Post located on Exeter Airport. M3/5 Group Hounslow Post located on London Airport. M2/1 Group Dynchurch Post. First to recognise a V1. D3/1 Group Folkestone Post located in a Martello Tower. J2/23 Group Weston Super mare Post sited in a windmill in 1942.

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L3/18 Group Felixstowe Post sited in a Martello Tower in 1940. L1/18 Group Grindisburgh Post 1938 sited in a windmill. Y3/19 Group Claygate Post 1940. Sited in Ruxley Tower NAAFI HQ. B2/2 Group Pevensey Post 1955. Sited in a Martello Tower. S4/2 Group Crawley 1953 sited at Gatwick Airport. G3/10 Group Bridlington Post 1936 located in the Observation Tower at Bridlington Grammar School. E1/10 Group Spurn Head Post 1942. The only post provided with barrack accommodation and staffed by a crew of 7 full time observers.

Edwina Holden

A Date to Remember

It is 100 years ago this January that the first successful Zeppelin raid took place on the UK. It was almost the first time Britain had been attacked from the air. The Zeppelin bombing campaign was approved by the Kaiser on 7 January 1915, who at first forbade attacks on London, fearing that his relatives in the British royal family might be injured. Following an attempt on 13 January 1915, which was abandoned because of the weather, the first successful raid took place on the night of 19–20 January 1915. Three Zeppelins took off but one had to turn back due to engine problems. Two Zeppelins (L3 and L4) targeted Humberside but were diverted by strong winds, to Great Yarmouth, Sheringham and King’s Lynn and the surrounding villages. The first bombs were dropped at 2025hrs on 19 January 2015. Complete panic was caused and four people were killed and 72 seriously injured. £7740 worth (£779,000 in today’s money) of damage was done. There is an excellent article about this raid in the January 2015 issue of the ‘Britain at War’ magazine. Understandably the article concentrates on the human aspect of the raid including the way the raid developed, people caught up in the raid, damage etc. Detection and interception are not mentioned apart from the fact that three fighters were sitting on the runway at RN Air Station Yarmouth and they were not even scrambled. The truth is that, at that time, Britain had no Air Defence system, no means of detecting the approach of enemy craft, no tracking and control system, no interception system and no real warning system. The Zeppelins were seen by a few people but almost no one knew whether they were friendly or hostile, they had no idea where they were going nor who to report them to even if they wanted to. Some thought the explosions were being caused by enemy battleships out of sight over the horizon. No warning was given and the population did not know where the Zeppelins were going next. There was public and political outcry over this situation and there was the call for some sort of air defence system to be set up. This led to General Smuts being involved, he in turn appointed Major General Ashmore who developed the Metropolitan Observation Service and in 1917, the London Air Defence Area (LADA). This joined together a tracking system (a form of Observer Corps), a control system (Ops Rooms), seachlights, ack-ack guns, interception by the RFC and RNAS and the police to warn the public. The world’s first integrated air defence system had been formed. This ultimately led to the formation of the Observer Corps in 1925 under the leadership of Ashmore and the rest, as they say, is history ! No wonder 19 January should be an important date to members of the ROC/ROCA ! I hope you enjoy my little history lesson ???

Lawrence Holmes

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Bristol Time

An article in 10 Group’s newsletter about a town clock showing different times on each face reminded me about the clock on the front of the Corn Exchange in Bristol which has two minute hands. It is often forgotten that the need for the same time all across a country is really a recent thing after all when you do your work when its light, midday is when the sun is at its highest, do you really need to worry about exactly what the time is to the exact minute or second. After all five minutes to boil an egg is five minutes regardless of precisely when you start, so does it matter if by travelling 100 miles west noon is eleven minutes later. Well it didn’t matter when such a journey took two or three days. Then the railways came and wanted to run a properly scheduled service, if local time was used then an hour and a half journey from London to Bristol would take an hour and nineteen minutes but the return journey of the same duration would take twenty two minutes longer which makes no sense at all. So it was that the concept of Railway Time was introduced. Railway time was of course London time or as we now call it GMT. However locally everybody still went by their own local time and so it was that the 12:00 train for London would leave at 11:49 and the clock on the Corn Market had two minute hands to let people see what time it was at the railway. The matter became important for Bristol when in June 1841 the first train pulled into Temple Meads station. The problem was solved for Bristol by putting two hands on the clock and that was how things remained until September 1852 when Bristol adopted London or Greenwich Time. In case you are wondering British Summer Time (BST) was introduced as a temporary wartime measure in 1916. Now if can we do something about that other temporary measure first introduced in 1799 - namely income tax!

Chris Shire

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Royal Observer Corps Medal

While wandering around the internet Trish came across the following about the ROC Medal. Ken

Rodley was as many will remember the Southern Sector Controller and was based at HQ 12 Group

Lansdown which was also Sector control.

Ribbon

The medal ribbon was a mix of pale blue, dark blue and silver vertical stripes; representing the pale blue of the daytime sky, with a searchlight beam in a night sky at its centre. The colours of the ribbon were to be repeated in the ROC stable belt, with the addition of two outer stripes of dark blue. (The medal ribbon's colour sequence is reversed in the ROC regimental tie).

Unusual awards

In July 1961 the Commandant ROC Air Commodore Wight-Boycott presented a Royal Observer Corps Medal to the Battle of Britain Class locomotive no.34050 Royal Observer Corps, which had commenced service with the Southern Railway company in December 1946; the ceremony taking place at Waterloo Station. The medal was mounted in a glass fronted cabinet in the driver's cab and the locomotive's side was repainted with a representation of the medal and its ribbon. These were displayed until the engine was retired from service and scrapped in the late 1960s. However, the original nameplate and front badge were recovered and displayed in the entrance hall of RAF Bentley Priory, (HQ ROC), until 1996 when they were transferred to the RAF Museum, Hendon.

The only occasion where an ROC Medal was awarded to a former member of the ROC was when UKWMO Sector Controller Kenneth Rodley was awarded the ROC Medal after twenty four years full-time service. Rodley commenced his ROC service as Group Training Officer with 20 Group (York) in February 1958 and was later seconded to the Home Office, in 1971. It had been realised that, due to an administrative error, Rodley's secondment had never officially converted to that of a full Civil Service transfer, and that he had therefore technically remained a member of the ROC. The Medal was awarded to him by Air Commodore George Black at a surprise ceremony in 1984 at RAF Scampton. Rodley attempted to make an acceptance speech but was overcome by emotion and took his seat to a standing ovation by those present.

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Memories of a Friend On Friday 28th February I had reason to drive through Tidworth on my way to do a display at Middle Wallop Aviation Museum about the Royal Observer Corps. On going through the town I noticed the military cemetary and this caused me to remember my old friend William Joliffe. To those of you who went to school with him in Sherston, it was a shocking and painful day when on TV in 1971 it was announced he had been killed in Northern Ireland while serving in the Military Police at the age of 18. I knew William and his younger brother Harvey, when they came to live in Chippenham in the mid 60s. They both joined the 5th Chippenham Scout Group of which I was a member. William and I became good friends and I remember well his big house and huge garden. In 1966 William, Harvey and myself joined our scout patrol and went on a weeks camping at Belchamps and having the honour of being presented to the Chief of all scouts, Charles McClean. A memory tells me he was the Queens cousin. So .... On my way back through Tidworth much later on in the day, I pulled into the cemetary and knocked at the keepers cottage. I enquired after William and was shown directly to William’s stone with pleasantness and politeness and left alone with my thoughts and happy memories of my old friend. As I was still in my Royal Observer Corps uniform I was able to give him a salute that I had wanted to do for 43 years. On reading the stones inscription it turned out to be the anniversary of his death ..... The exact day. This moved me greatly, and has prompted me to share this with the friends, or even family, he still has living in Sherston. R.I.P. L/Cpl 24177549 William Gordon Joliffe, 3 Division Provost Company, Royal Military Police. From left to right Major Charles Wesley Salvation Army Charles McClean Howard Harding William Joliffe Harvey Joliffe Alvin Reeves Robert Yokney

Howard Harding

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Seabourne The Sequel. As both a keen yachtsman and a member of the Royal Observer Corps it seemed to be a good idea to combine the two in the form of expedition training, something the services are very keen on. I was fortunate in being able to obtain a week’s booking on the Royal Air Force Sailing Association yacht SKYFLASH starting May 27. An attempt to arrange a similar expedition last year had to be abandoned when the yacht met with a serious accident while visiting the Channel Islands. So it was that a notice was placed in Group Routine Orders for anybody to come along. While the response was not as good as I would have wished all those who applied were signed on, although in some cases people had to withdraw due to their normal day to day commitments. Eventually the crew mustered at the Joint Services Sailing Centre in Gosport consisting of: Skipper L/Obs Chris Shire (Crew 2) Crew Obs Lt/Cdr Don Trett (Deputy Group Commandant) C/Obs Roy Dixon (35 Post) Mr Ray Hart (Warning Team) Mr Geoff Shire (Retired) Day One After the initial familiarisation and safety briefing we sailed for the Isle of Wight. En-route we saw the aircraft carrier Ark Royal coming into port and were buzzed by both hovercraft and hydrofoils. We arrived at mooring piles about halfway between Cowes and Newport at about 2000 hrs. After paying the harbourmaster his dues we made the decision to allow the Folly Inn, which just happened to be situated on the river bank opposite our mooring, to provide the evening meal. The crew were therefore detailed to pump up the rubber dinghy and row ashore where, in slightly more pleasant and comfortable surroundings, we discussed the day’s events and laid plans for the following day. Day Two After a hearty breakfast cooked by Don we motored downstream and then set sail heading to the west, while the crew practiced sail setting, steering and other such nautical activities. We then put into Yarmouth at 1350 hrs to collect a pint and a pound or two; unfortunately the bank closed at 1445 hrs and so we were only partly successful in our mission. We then left Yarmouth and headed back up the Solent to put into the Beaulieu River and the village of Bucklers Hard for the night. It was low water as we approached, showing clearly the channel markers on the Beaulieu River - old branches stuck in the mud on the side of the channel. So we picked up a mooring near the entrance to the river and waited for the tide to give us deeper water and hence a greater margin under the keel (last year's accident involved an RAF crew going aground, drying out and breaking off the keel). During this time we were fed on a cold buffet a la Trett (are all DGCs trained as cooks as well?). Travelling up the Beaulieu River is an experience to be recommended as there is almost no development until the historic village of Bucklers Hard is reached. The village was developed for the building of wooden ships for the navy of Nelson's day and is almost unchanged. After inspecting the inside of the local inn we digested a very good meal, discussed the day's sailing and returned on board. Shortly before midnight the skipper was called on deck to repel boarders (some passing females had recognised Skyflash and decided to say hello), passing swiftly to ...

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Day Three The morning was spent viewing the village of Bucklers Hard. Almost the whole village is a museum with many of the buildings having been restored to the way they would have looked (both inside and out) during the heyday of the village, while at the top of the street there is a museum showing the history of the village and how ships were built then, along with many items of equipment that were used by the shipwrights. In the afternoon we proceeded to Lymington giving our lunches a good shake up on the somewhat bumpy trip there. On arriving at Lymington I decided it was better to pay the extra and take a berth at the Yacht Haven Marina rather than go upstream to the town quay where the yachts are packed in up to eight abreast and with the minimum of clearance fore and aft to the next line of boats. This gives a very disturbed night due to other crews clambering over your deck, if you are on the inside, or a lot of time spent moving mooring lines to let others out if you are on the outside, (or both if you are in the middle). Great fun for the spectators but not for the crews concerned. That evening we walked into Lymington and found a most interesting craft exhibition before making the one last big decision of the day - in which inn should we dine? Day Four Due to the wind conditions it was decided to remain in Lymington and while Ray went for a run down to Hurst Castle and back, the rest of the crew were introduced to the mysteries of charts and of recording and interpreting the BBC shipping forecast. Later they were to try the practical test, the 1750 hrs forecast read at a cracking pace as usual and this time to an accompaniment of the crew cursing in exasperation as they missed various parts of the forecast. Will reading a message from control to post ever be the same again? Day Five Departed Lymington with a following tide and a light tail wind which made for a very pleasant start to the journey and allowed the crew to try and make the boat go faster (or just go!). In the end the say was described as "confusing and frustrating - sails hoisted the wind drops, sails lowered and the engine started, the wind increased!" But eventually we arrived at the entrance to the River Hamble at seemingly the same time as everybody else. During the passage from Lymington, Ray prepared an excellent Chinese meal from scratch (without once complaining about the size of the Galley - a rarity for a cook working at sea) which was ready just as we arrived. After slowly going upstream we tied up on the RAFSA pontoon opposite the RAF Yacht Club, which we were kindly invited to visit. Which we did after first enjoying the meal which had been giving us a hearty appetite as the aroma had been drifting around us while we were busy tying up. In his eagerness to return to Skyflash later that evening Ray missed his footing as he climbed into the dinghy and hence tested the temperature of the river by total immersion; after surfacing he pronounced it MUD to FAIR. Day Six Ray had by now almost dried out so we motored up river for about thirty minutes until we reached the Elephant Boatyard and the Jolly Sailor pub (better known to most people as the scene of the BBC TV series Howards Way). Here we popped ashore long enough to take a few photos and have lunch before casting off under the instructions of Don whose turn it was to show how much he had learnt during the week. As we motored back down the river somebody commented that if all those boats

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were moored together you could probably walk to France. From the Hamble we returned to the Folly Inn after an eventful passage during which we had a close look at one of Her Majesty's Minesweepers. Day Seven (Extract from crews' log) "Crew showed legs for early start, alas Don left his specs at the Folly Inn last night. Some believe it was a ploy to return for elevenses. All hands to rescue Don's glasses! A search party set off to search the Folly Inn for the missing specs. 1330 hrs slipped mooring for return to Gosport. A wet trip (as well as a wet morning). PS. Specs could mean glasses (1 pint ones)!" During the time we spent ashore waiting to rescue Don's specs we walked up to the parish church at Whippingham. This has a very interesting story as it was the church where Queen Victoria worshipped when staying at Osbourne House and it was designed by Prince Albert. Amongst the graves to be found there are those of Prince Louis Battenburg and his wife, parents of Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma, and of Uffa Fox, a very famous yacht designer. The journey back to Gosport was quite windy with a beam wind gusting around force 7 and rain threatening the whole time. What we got was an almost continual drizzle which gives very poor visibility and seemingly lasts forever. It was on this leg that one of the (at the time) most worrying incidents happened. Just as we were entering the restricted channels approaching Portsmouth Harbour under engine power, the rudder started to shudder very badly and the engine gave signs of straining. This was quickly diagnosed as something around the propeller. The shuddering was reduced by running the engine astern for a few moments before proceeding again. After mooring at the berth in Gosport the offending item (a piece of rope with bits of fishing line and plastic around it) was quickly removed with the aid of a boat hook. Day Eight After taking all the personnel kit ashore the yacht was taken around to a nearby fueling jetty where we replenished the fuel and water stocks as well as giving the decks a good scrub down under running water. After this we returned to the JSSC berth where it was all hands to clean and tidy the yacht and prepare her for the handover inspection and inventory check, determined as we were that the ROC would leave Skyflash even tidier than when we had taken her over. So at around 1100 hrs the boat was officially handed back and we departed only to stop for lunch at the Jolly Sailor, which is a lot harder to find by road than by sea. Over lunch we reached the not unexpected conclusion that the expedition had been a great success and we hoped that it will prove possible to mount further such expeditions like this in the future. Meanwhile anybody with a yacht looking for a crew will be most welcome to contact 12 Group.

Chris Shire

Perhaps it is also time to admit the reason we moored up at the entrance to the Beaulieu River was because we had been brought to a gentle halt by the keel running into the mud of the river bed. It was almost absolute low water and so all we had to do was put the anchor over the side to prevent uncontrolled drifting when the tide came back in and the water got deeper so we could continue up stream.

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John Mattock

John was born on 13th June 1934, to Winifred and Allan, at 195 Winsley Road, Bradford on Avon. The family lived with his mother’s sister and her husband, May and Vic. With more family living next door including myself, his cousin. We grew up like brothers.

John went to Christchurch infants and junior school and then onto Fitzmaurice Grammar school. He claimed his only notable achievement at school was a win in the senior cross country run.

At the age of 7 John joined the Christchurch choir and ended up as the crucifer. During this time he was baptised and then confirmed.

John left school and joined the meteorological office at Dunstable where he specialised in upper air plotting and analysis.

At 18 John was called up into the RAF as a meteorologist – given a rank one below corporal and with no promotion or demotion prospects.

After joining the RAF John had a go at pilot training, he said “They really must’ve been short of pilots!”. This lasted 6 months, during which he crashed a Tiger Moth and suffered the loss of a few front teeth.

So returning to a met post John was then posted to the Middle East – Habbaniya in Iraq and Mauripur, near Karachi, in Pakistan. Whilst in Habbaniya he joined the choir and actually took church services. The rest of the time was spent in Pakistan where he did 2 trips to Murree in the foothills of the Himalayas. After completing his time there he was eventually demobbed.

John then found himself posted as a civvy to RAF Colerne and moved into the sergeant’s mess (cheaper than officers mess and less formal) and shared a room with one of the pilots (even cheaper).

In the summer of 1955 John started dance classes at Sylvia Howells in Bath and it was here that he met Heather. Later that year John switched careers and joined Lloyds Bank, starting at the Wotton-under-Edge branch and attending college in Cirencester.

John married Heather on 9th June 1956 where they started their married life living at Kensington in Bath after a short time with Heather’s parents. They then moved to Hansford Square in 1960 and this remained the family home up until the end. In the meantime John had worked his way around the bank branches in Midsomer Norton and Corsham ending up in Bath where he stayed until his retirement in 1990.

Their lives became complete with the arrival of their children Wendy, Alan and David. And later on their 6 grandchildren – Ella, Crissie, Archie, Jack, Tabitha and Lottie.

During his working life John’s love of meteorology was not forgotten, he spent 25 years as a member of the Royal Observer Corps where he devised a system of weather observations which did not need instruments to record. This system was then taken up and used throughout the ROC. At the same time John also was a civilian instructor with the Bath ATC where he helped to introduce and then teach ‘O’ Level meteorology.

John was assistant treasurer of the Royal British Legion, Bath for 43 years, and treasurer of the now closed RAFA Bath branch for 35 years and still found time for treasurer duties for the Somerset and Avon wing of the ATC.

In retirement, as well as spending time with his family, John enjoyed spending time on his other hobbies including cooking, single malt whisky and planning holidays around the UK and Europe. In

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recent years he and Heather have enjoyed many trips to the RAFA home in Weston Super Mare.

John will be fondly remembered for many things especially his recounting of numerous stories of his time in the Middle East and his interesting slide shows of his travels with Heather. He also devoted a lot of his time as treasurer or auditor to many charity and voluntary organisations.

John was a kind and generous man with a great sense of humour and most importantly he will be remembered for his devotion and loyalty to his friends and family.

Dave Mattock

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Diary Dates National Arboretum Visit 16th May 2015 ROCA Day The coach to the National Arboretum 16th May will leave Clevedon Road Car Park Nailsea at 0800 hours pick up at the Hippodrome Bristol at 08.45am It will leave the Arboretum at 4pm. Cost £22 per person payable to Ian Mottram. Contact Ian for full details and book your seat on 01275 855913.

Weston Super Mare air days June 20th-21st ROCA Heritage Stand Fairford Air Tattoo July 17th-19th ROCA Heritage Stand National Reunion Southport 2nd - 4th Oct 2015 Laying up of Royal Banner, St Clements Danes 23rd Oct 2015 Contact details Chairman Jenny Morris, 11 Melita Rd, St Andrews Park, Bristol, BS6 5AZ 01179 424756 rocanat.jenny@blueyonder.co.uk Secretary Brenda Bird, 15 Sabrina Way, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, BS9 1ST 01179 683281 brendasteve.bird@btinternet.com Treasurer, Membership Secretary & Benevolent Fund Officer Bob Grant, Bryngolwg, 6 Church Street, Ynysybwl, Pontypridd, CF37 3LB, 01443 790143 ggrantwales@yahoo.co.uk Newsletter Editor Chris Shire, 11 Yomede Park, Bath, BA1 3LS 07831 220290 chris.shire@sky.com

ROCA WEB SITE www.rocatwentytwelve.org

ROC RECORDS. ANY MEMBER REQUIRING THESE PLEASE CONTACT Neville Cullnigford ROC Museum

Winchester xrocmunc@o2.co.uk

12 GROUP COMMITTEE 2014 Chairman Miss. Jenny Morris Vice Chairman Mr. Peter Sargent Secretary Mrs. Brenda Bird Treasurer Mr. Bob Grant Membership Secretary Mr. Bob Grant Benevolent Fund Liaison Officer Mr. Bob Grant Newsletter Editor Mr. Chris Shire Bristol and Bath Branch Mrs. Ann Smith Bristol and Bath Branch Mr. Roger Wilsdon Cardiff and Newport Branch Mr. Bryan Butler Cardiff and Newport Branch Mr. Alan Price-Talbot Committee Member Mr. Gordon Saville

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To all Group Chairmen 12 March 2015 At our National Committee meeting held in London on Saturday 28 February the laying up of the Royal Observer Corps Banner was discussed at length. Wing Commander Paul Crook from the RAF Ceremonial Office attended to give us a short presentation and to answer any questions which had been raised both by ourselves as well as by other members of the Association. After a full discussion it was unanimously agreed to proceed with the laying up of the ROC Banner on Friday 23 October 2015 at St. Clement Danes in London. This date is significant as it marks the 90

th anniversary of the formation of the then

Observer Corps in 1925. Another factor in making our decision was that we were informed by the Wing Commander that our Banner could not remain at Cranwell in perpetuity and we all agreed that 2015 was the most suitable year to lay up the Banner while many of us were fit and able enough to attend the ceremony. It was also agreed that a small ceremony would be held at Cranwell when the Banner is removed from the Rotunda. The future of our first Banner currently on display at St. Clement Danes was raised and Wing Commander Crook assured us that this will remain on display along with our second Banner. We have been offered the full use of St. Clement Danes for the laying up ceremony and the RAF Ceremonial Office will provide logistical assistance to us to ensure that as many people as wants to may attend to mark this important milestone in our proud history. I have also written to Her Majesty, our Patron, to advise Her of our decision and to assure Her of our continuing loyalty and devotion. I know and appreciate that some members will be disappointed at this decision but the National Committee as well as our President, Air Marshal Spink, feel that this is both the correct decision and the correct time to lay up our Banner. The Banner will take its place along with all the others in St. Clement Danes and since the church is the RAF church in London it will help to cement the close relationship between the RAF and the ROC for many generations to come. We hope that as many members and ex Corps people will want to attend this prestigious occasion and I ask all Groups to come together to ensure that the laying up of our Banner is conducted in such a proper and dignified manner as befits our proud history. John Sharpe National Chairman

From: Mr J Sharpe Chairman

Royal Observer Corps Association

59 Maxwellton Road Calderwood East Kilbride G74 3JH

01355 901707

Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

President: Air Marshal C.R.Spink CB CBE FIMgt RAF (R'td) Vice Presidents: Mr N.A.Greig MBE Mr H Daniel MA LLB Mrs J Shrubbs MBE

www.ROCAssoc.org.uk

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12 GROUP ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS ASSOCIATION TWENTY – EIGHTH

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015

The 12 Group ROCA AGM will be held at Hilton Hotel, Woodlands Lane, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 4JF

Sunday, 19th April 2015 commencing at 12 noon, followed by lunch, if required, at 1.15pm.

The Hilton Hotel is just off the M4/M5 junction. A map will be made available on request.

A G E N D A

1. Chairman’s Opening Remarks

2. Apologies

3. Minutes of Last AGM: 6th April 2014

4. Matters Arising

5. Officers reports:

a. Chairman

b. Treasurer

c. Membership Secretary

d. Newsletter Editor

e. Benevolent Fund Officer

6. Subscription: 2016

7. Election of Officers

8. Appointment of Auditor

9. Venue for 2016 AGM and proposed date

Please note – if there is sufficient time after the close of the AGM and the start of Lunch members will have the opportunity to discuss any matters they wish to raise.

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12 GROUP ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 2014

Notes of the Twenty Seventh Annual General Meeting held on 6th April 2014 At The Hilton Hotel, Bristol.

Attendance: Bob and Phyl Blackwell, Bryan, Carol Butler, Hilary Daniel, Bob and Sheila Grant, Rita Head, Cynthia Kelson, Pat Lloyd, Elizabeth Molyneux, Jenny Morris, Kath Price, (Auditor), Ann Smith, Chris Shire, Roger, Eileen Wilsdon.

1) Acting Chairman’s Opening Address:

A minute’s Silence was observed to remember all those that had passed away in the past year. Jenny Morris took the Chair welcoming all to the meeting, a special welcome to some new faces Rita Head, who served during WW11 on M2 Himbleton/Cowle Post Worcester (24 Group Glos) Patricia Lloyd from Droitwich served in the 1960s crew 6 Cardiff Centre. Kath Price our auditor from Cardiff/ Newport Branch. Also welcome to familiar faces Cynthia Kelson, Hilary Daniel and Elizabeth Molyneux. Jenny invited members to stand for a few moments to remember the 8 members that are no longer with us. Jenny announced the death of Paddy Harris 16 Group who had regularly attended Southern Area Reunions. Brenda Bird sent her apology unable to attend due to a clash of commitments Jenny agreed to take the notes. Hilary Daniel, ROCA Vice President and former GC of 12 Group and past Southern Area Rep welcomed and invited to take the Chair. Hilary expressed the member’s thanks to Jenny for stepping in to take the Chair and for her time and commitment alongside her other roles within the wider Association.

2) Apologies: Elsie Allison, Brenda Bird, Bob, Barbara Rowe, Peter Sargent, Trish, Alex Shire, Alan and

Susan Price-Talbot, Irene Topliss.

3) Minutes of the 2013 AGM: Members present had received copies of the Minutes. Jenny added Murray Whitcher to the list of attendees following this correction the notes agreed as a true record. Proposed: Brian Butler Seconded: Bob Blackwell all agreed the Chair signed them.

4) Matters Arising: There were no matters arising 5) Officers Reports:

a) The Acting Chair: Jenny read her report attached separately to these minutes.

b) Treasurer - Bob Grant The accounts remain in a healthy state, which indicate that there will be no need to increase subs for the year 2015.

Financial position as at 31/10/2013 as at 15/2/14 Current account £1,135.07 £ 898.18 Business account £1,702.45 £1,702.45 Santander £ 4.78 £ 4.78 Cash in hand £ .41 £ .41 Total £2,842.71 £2,605.82 (Ring fenced amounts £ 495.62 o/s cheques £ 93.70 subs PiA £10.00)

ring fenced pia 505.62 Usable amount £2,347.09 usable total £2,006.50 There have been a number of problems including one about the capitation amount that has now been resolved. The committee decided that we would make a donation in memory of Murray and a copy of the letter from ROCBF regarding this donation has been received and copied to the family for their information. Both letters available if people wish to see them.

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We are now moving more towards an electronic based system in an effort to cut costs and have a more effective way of communicating. To this end a number of people have indicated that they will pay their subs by S/O or BACS that seems to be working but I need to work on an e receipt so that the people paying by such methods are informed when the money has been received. As a number want to continue paying by cheque or cash we need to keep the cards in operation. To this end I have designed a card, which I can print off on my computer that the committee found to be acceptable. There will also need to be a review of how to satisfy the audit trail as we are now paying some a/cs by bank transfer system that is also working well. There has been some delay in some areas as I have to update my computer operating system and possibly my computer, as XP will not be supported from the 8th march 2014 and do not have sufficient capacity for full upgrade.

My thanks to Kath Price for doing the audit and finding an error in the ROCBF entry that has passed the last three audits and I had missed. The accounts accepted proposed Bryan Butler seconded Sheila Grant.

c) Membership The membership dropped slightly over the period mainly due to the demise of eight of our members in the year all of whom will be very much missed. Current number of people renewed in the period 88 Late renewals 3

Total 91

Resignations of members during the period 5 New members included in the above figures 2 [Members paid in advance: 2 value = £20.50]

I have received an email from the national membership secretary that suggests he coordinates all new membership requests received over the web site, as we appear to have lost several prospective members due to miscommunication between the various organisational levels. To my mind this is a sensible approach and would recommend that we agree to his request.

Potential New Members: Bob explained there had been a break down in a couple of cases with enquiries made via the web site. In one the contact details not received from Norman Hart, National Membership Secretary had led to a delay in making contact. Jenny said the problem in a majority of the cases fell to the new member who failed to follow through when contacted by the Group. It was important that Groups let Norman Hart know to enable him to track the web responses. Norman Hart emailed Bob with a proposal to process new member applications received directly by him or the web site. Norman had received several complaints from potential members of no contact from some Groups. To address and speed up contact Norman proposed with the agreement of the Group to obtain the relevant membership subscription and pass to the Group. Bob saw the advantages to this process and proposed the process was accepted all agreed. Jenny stressed the local follow up process was just as important that once signed up a letter of welcome and membership card sent and the local Branch to make contact. Bob agreed to send the letter and card and notify the relevant Branch of all new members.

d) The Journal – Javelin Newsletter Chris Shire presented his report 47 copies of the Christmas edition distributed by email this included extra pages due to a number of reply forms required. By the use of email thus saving postage and photocopying and the use of A5 size envelopes the distribution costs reduced by 50%, following the next postage increase these savings will increase. There are currently 4 issues always looking for articles, short of items for the next issue copy required in time for proposed issue June 1st. The articles do not have to be Corps related but any personal recollections of Corps activities, funny stories, and exercise experiences always of interest. It is recognised not all members have or want to use email for receipt of reading material. Paper copy will continue to those who prefer this media. No questions all present expressed thanks to Chris for the excellent cost effective production.

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e) ROC Benevolent Fund Latest accounts to 31/12/12 now received and available. Neil Stutridge appointed 8/6/12 to replace Hilary Daniels

2012 2011 2010 2009 Income for year £36,317 £26,336 £24,135 £28,373 Expenditure £44,092 £47,389 £55,062 £35,607 Net reduction of balances (-£7,775) (-£21,053) (-£30,927) (-£ 7,234) Number of successful applicants for the year was 47 at a cost of £44,092 there was a further 1 case which have ran into 2013. The total ROCBF balance now stands at £915,549 an increase during the year of £43,537. This is due to increased value of stock/ shares and higher interest received. Trustees have received no expenses but have been reimbursed the costs actually incurred mainly in the outreach programme. This programme has been successful in making the fund more widely known I am pleased to say that I have had no calls for my services in our area during the period. As you are aware the GBFLO now mainly act as liaison officers as most of the cases are dealt with by RBL, SSAFA, ABF and some other service charities. This does not affect this group, as I am an RBL caseworker.

No questions raised the Chair thanked Bob for his work and the Auditor for her scrutiny.

Hilary thanked Bob for his work and reminded all to keep an eye on local colleagues to put them in touch should there be a perceived need. All contacts are in complete confidence.

6) Subscriptions 2015: The subs were raised last year the Treasurer recommends this year there is no

increase. All content to continue the current rate of £7.00.

7) Election of Officers:

Chair - A new Chair was required nominations invited but none proposed. Hilary said Jenny was prepared to be nominated but it was hoped someone would step forward. Jenny was proposed and seconded unanimously elected. Hilary’s suggestion agreed that a search for a new Chairman would continue, if one found Jenny was prepared to step down during the year if a volunteer came forward. Secretary – Brenda Bird had been nominated no other nominations, Brenda was elected. Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Editor and the 2 Committee members were all willing to stand again all agreed to their re-election en bloc. Committee vacancy – Bryan Butler nominated, proposed Sheila Grant, seconded Bob Grant unanimously agreed. The Committee elected for 2014 are: Chairman: Jenny Morris Vice Chair Peter Sargent Secretary Brenda Bird Treasurer & Membership Secretary: Bob Grant Newsletter Editor Chris Shire Committee Members Gordon Saville, Chris Shire, Bryan Butler

Jenny said in addition the local Branch representatives elected by their local Committees are: Cardiff Newport - Alan Price-Talbot, Bryan Butler, Bristol Bath – Ann Smith, Roger Wilsdon, Gloucester member’s interests are represented by Committee members Gordon and Peter.

8) Appointment of Auditor: Kath Price all agreed.

9) 2015 AGM Venue:

Agreed the Hilton Hotel continued to be an ideal venue especially as the staff most accommodating. The

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Committee will check the Hotel availability and decide a date at the next meeting. 10) The Southern Area Rep /National Secretary Jenny Morris invited to address the meeting:

The National Arboretum was well worth a visit many interesting memorials. An ideal opportunity will be at the forthcoming ROCA informal day on Saturday 17th May. At 1400 in the ROC Grove it is proposed to hold a short act of remembrance to commemorate the Seaborne Wing and the two Seaborne who were killed. Broadway Tower Post and Museum in the Cotswolds warranted a visit several open days through the year. Whilst in Guernsey on May 8th at the request of Murray’s son and daughter some of Murray’s ashes will be scattered in remembrance of the special place in which the Island was held by Joyce and Murray. Hilary will conduct a brief service and the Standards will be present.

Finally Jenny welcomed the opportunity to be more involved within the day to day activities of 12 Group that brought her into closer contact with the local membership and activities across the Group she looked forward to working with the Committee and all to continue the Group Association activities and build on the successes it has enjoyed down the years

The meeting closed 13.05 A raffle held raised £26. The ROCBF advertising Banner was displayed.

Acting Chairman’s Report to 12 Group AGM 6th

April 2014 2013 started as usual with plans for the Group’s normal programme and participation in the annual Parades and events in which Murray was well versed to ensure we were always represented and turned out. It seems incredible that he is no longer with us and a very sharp reminded how life is very transient and fragile. In the first 6 months of the year 12 Group Standard continued to been carried at the Repatriations with representation by Murray and Roger, fortunately these have been far fewer and less frequent as the year progressed. The Standard was again carried in Gloucester St George’s Day Service, Guernsey and RAF Cosford RAF National Service Parade. The contingent to Guernsey although small in number continued to be greatly appreciated with the usual hospitality and thanks received from the Guernsey people. We are indebted to Bob, Phyl Blackwell Chris, Trish and Alex who have annually represented us in Guernsey in their own time and cost. This year a specific invitation extended to Murray and the ROCA to take part in the special 70th anniversary commemorations in 2015. We will of course be honouring this invitation and it is my hope that several more members will join us to make next year a very special commemoration and thanks to the Guernsey people. Back home Murray continued to liaise on our behalf with the families of any member who had died and to make contact with those who had not renewed their subs to encourage them to keep in touch. In May 12 Group took a major lead and participation alongside the other Groups at the unveiling and dedication of the ROC Memorial at the Arboretum. The Javelin Spring and summer editions were produced. Support to Howard Harding provided throughout the year. Howard’s 1940s post re- enactment does a wonderful public relations job by bringing the history of the period alive at a number of public displays around the Group and beyond. The Cardiff/Newport Branch maintain lively and regular opportunities to meet up. A branch newsletter keeps us in touch with news on that side of the water and with news of the ongoing support and association with HMS Monmouth first developed during the Corps years. Bristol Branch held its spring autumn lunches and AGM lunch with varying degrees of support. We were very pleased to welcome to the lunches Rita Head and to learn of her WW11 service in what later became part of 12 Group. West Harptree BBQ a popular meeting point with the weather being kind to us. There was representation and support at the Double Hills Parade where Dennis Beale laid the wreath. In October Murray’s passing threw into sharp perspective just what he had done on our behalf behind

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the scenes and what we already knew would be a very difficult act and standard to maintain. It is to their great credit that the Committee immediately took up the reigns to ensure the transition went smoothly and 12 Group continued with business as usual although with great sadness at our loss. On behalf of all members I give our most grateful thanks to the Committee and to Brenda Bird for coming forward to take over as Secretary. All Committee members including Branch Representatives, their Committees and Hilary Daniel are to be thanked for the contributions and support they have given during this very difficult period. I especially thank Chris Shire for taking over the important role as Keeper of the Standard that includes a lot of work behind the scenes such as the liaison and arrangements with a number of organisations to continue our participation and invitation to events all around the Group and beyond. His first task was to organise the dignified and rolling dip by the Standard Bearers to Murray. Immediately following which was the final planning for the Seaton Road Naming Parade. Hilary Daniel Honorary Chaplin conducted the Dedication and in his indomitable fashion made the occasion very special and fitting. No easy task but the attention to detail ensured the usual high standard and turnout was a great tribute to the Association. In addition Chris set to and produced the Christmas Javelin Journal from a standing start. This was achieved in record time by broadening the use of electronic circulation made substantial savings with postage and printing. Under the watchful eye of Bob Grant the Group’s membership and financial position remain strong and positive. Innovative ideas piloted with the introduction of the opportunity to pay the annual subscription by standing order and increased use of email to keep in touch with members. Remembrance weekend was very busy the Standard and a small contingent attended Cardiff Newport St Fagan’s service on the Saturday, on the Sunday in the morning in Trowbridge the Standard carried, Roger Wilsdon laid the wreath, in Bristol I laid the wreath on behalf of the Group and in the afternoon attended the Bath Parade and service where the Group Standard was again carried by Chris. Chris paraded the Standard at the recent Repatriation. Hopefully there will be no more but Chris and Roger will continue to attend whenever possible should the need arise. The ROCBF continues to seek out former ROC colleagues the Trustees seek your help to reach all those who may have fallen on hard times. Please let Bob or myself know of any local publication, museum, display, library where we can promote the Ben Fund. A new ROCBF pop up banner is available from me to take to local displays or talks to organisations/public. Heritage and preservation of the history of 12 Group include the human experiences that form the real story behind the service given by so many volunteers. It is very important we capture these snippets now and to recall the names in photographs that are sitting in attics and cupboards. This year will see the 55th anniversary of the opening of the GHQ at Lansdown. I am currently researching the history and the other GHQs in Bristol for an article to appear in the Javelin. It is my aim with your help to arrange in due course a plaque to be placed on the Lansdown building. Finally looking forward to 2014 Ian Mottram is organising a trip to Bentley Priory June 5th well worth going. The annual gathering at the Arboretum 17th May will commemorate 70 years since Seaborne. I would like to see an event or get together of our members in Gloucester, Hereford Worcester Branch. There are ring fence funds for this any suitable venue occasion and your ideas suggestions are sought. In summary despite at times a very difficult year we have invoked the spirit that has remained with us from our Corps days to see us through. Your Committee are looking at innovative ways to keep costs down and keep in touch in whichever way suits the individual. I can reassure all if you want to continue to receive information and news by paper format than you will. However looking forward we cannot remain complacent we all appreciate membership will of necessity contract and it will be harder to find the volunteers to keep Committees going therefore we have to continually evolve and change to meet the current wishes of the members. Please let us know what you would like us to do and organise to keep 12 Group members in touch to ensure we will continue for many years to come.

Jenny Morris 6th April 2014

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12 GROUP ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS ASSOCIATION TWENTY – EIGHTH

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015 ELECTION OF OFFICERS 2015

Please ensure that the person proposed is willing to stand. The following incumbents are willing to stand for re-election: Chair Jenny Morris Vice Chair Peter Sargent

Treasurer & Membership Secretary Bob Grant Newsletter Editor Chris Shire Committee Members Gordon Saville & Chris Shire

Please return the completed nomination form to:

Mrs Brenda Bird, Acting Secretary, 12 Group ROCA, 15 Sabrina Way, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1ST

By 23rd March 2015 at the latest. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

NOMINATION FORM

Office Nominee Seconded Chairman …………………………… …………………………… Vice Chairman …………………………… …………………………… Secretary …………………………… …………………………… Treasurer …………………………… …………………………… Membership Secretary …………………………… …………………………… Newsletter Editor …………………………… …………………………… Committee Members …………………………… …………………………… …………………………… ……………………………

…………………………… ……………………………

12 GROUP ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS ASSOCIATION TWENTY – EIGHTH

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015 LUNCH REQUEST

AGM: 12:00 Lunch: 13:15

A Lunch has been arranged in the Carvery at the Hilton Hotel, Woodlands Lane, Bradley Stoke BS32 4JF, (just off the M4/M5 interchange) for those wishing to dine after the AGM. The cost of the meal: Members and Associates £12.00 Guests £15.00 If you require lunch please complete the slip below and forward it together with a cheque for the full amount due to:

Brenda Bird, Acting Secretary, 12 Group ROCA, 15 Sabrina Way, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1ST

Cheques payable to: 12 Group ROCA …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… I will/will not be attending the 12 Group 2015 AGM I will/will not be requiring …………. Lunches and a cheque for £ ……………. Is enclosed Name: ………………………………………………………………….. Membership No: ………………………………………………………………….. Signed: ………………………………………………………………….. Date: …………………………………………………………………..

To be returned by 23

rd March 2015 at the latest

22

ANNUAL REUNION 2015

For our 26th Reunion we will return to The Prince of Wales Hotel Southport. The Hotel part of the Britannia Group is ideally located in the Centre of Southport close to the shops and Prom.

• The following details are confirmed, please circulate them as widely and as quickly as possible to your members:

• DATE: Friday, 2nd

October to Sunday, 4th October 2015

VENUE: The Prince of Wales Hotel Lord Street Southport PR8 1JS Two night package DBB: £140 per person for 2 nights in a double or twin (total £280 for 2 people) £160 per person for 2 nights in single occupancy (total £160 for 1 person) Three nights package DBB (Thurs or Sunday) total cost £190 per person double/twin, £205 for

single. Included in the two night package price: • Friday: Carvery dinner followed by meet & greet in private function room.

• Saturday: Full English breakfast, Gala Dinner, with music for dancing.

• Sunday: Full English breakfast

• Overnight en-suite accommodation on Friday and Saturday

The 3 star hotel and facilities comprise: *154 en-suite bedrooms with colour TV * Tea & Coffee in each room *Ironing room 2nd floor, hairdryer in room * Direct dial telephone

*There are lifts to all floors and ramp access

Deposit: £30 per person required with your booking form.

Please make cheques payable to Prince of Wales Hotel (Not the ROC Association).

On receipt of the deposit from John Sharpe the Hotel will acknowledge the booking direct to the individual.

The balance of £110 per person or £139 per person for single occupancy plus any extra nights, personal

extras incurred such as newspapers, room service must be paid before departing from the Hotel. The Hotel will take card authorisation on arrival.

ALL bookings for the Friday and Saturday accommodation to be done via John Sharpe. The booking

form does include an opportunity to book one extra night if you want the three night package. NO bookings direct to the hotel for the weekend package ALL cancellations to be sent to John Sharpe. One extra night for either Thursday or Sunday night can be indicated on the booking form. Any

additional nights other than these to be arranged direct with the hotel by the individual. Hotel phone number 01704 536688. The Hotel has 83 car park spaces at a charge of £2.00 per space per day. Payable at Reception on

departure. There is street parking pay & display outside the hotel but further down from the hotel is some free street parking

A blank booking form is attached. Please photocopy this as many times as you wish - one booking form for each

booking.

Completed forms and cheques to be sent to Bryan Butler to forward to John Sharpe.

Please specify on the booking form:

Any special requirements such as dietary, room with disabled facilities etc

23

Royal Observer Corps Association TWENTY SIXTH Annual Reunion

Friday, 2ND

October to Sunday, 4TH

October 2015 The Prince of Wales Hotel, Southport

BOOKING FORM FROM No 12 GROUP Please reserve the following accommodation for the 2015 Reunion at Southport:

Type of room: Single Double Twin (Please tick as applicable)

Two night package Total cost: £140 per person for double or twin room

£160 per person for single room occupancy OR Three night package total cost: £190 per person for double or twin room £205 per person for single room

State which extra night for your stay Thursday night OR Sunday night

Deposit enclosed (£30 per person) £.................. (Non-returnable)

(Cheque payable to: Prince of Wales Hotel) (The balance to be paid to the Hotel prior to departure)

FULL NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH PERSON ATTENDING, in block capitals please. Note: A separate booking form is necessary for each room required. Please also give a telephone number in case of enquiry. ..................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................... Telephone: ........................................................... email …………………………………………………………… Signed: ................................................. (applicant) Date:......................................... Please indicate the following requirements: Special diet/vegetarian/other. …………………………………………….. Room with disabled facilities – YES / NO

Please return this form (with your deposit) to Mr Bryan Butler 5 Plas View, Gordon Road, Blackwood Gwent NP12 1DU for processing and onward transmission to Mr John

Sharpe, National Chairman.

ALL BOOKINGS TO REACH BRYAN BUTLER BY 20th August 2015

ALL bookings for the Friday and Saturday accommodation to be done via Bryan Butler. NO bookings direct to the hotel for the weekend package

ALL cancellations to be sent to Bryan Butler. Any extra nights other than the 2 / 3 nights indicated above arrange direct with the hotel by the individual

24

25

Subscription Renewals

Sorry folks but it’s that time of the year when a few of you still need to send your money to Bob Grant.

Many of you have taken up the opportunity to go over to standing orders which makes life so much

easier for all concerned, thank-you. For those of you that don’t wish to use this option, please send

your subscription plus any donation to the Treasurer as soon as possible. For anybody else that

wishes to go over to standing orders here is another copy of the form.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12 Group Royal Observer Corps Association

To …………………………………………………..bank Please set up the following Standing Order and debit my /our account accordingly

1. Account details Account name…………………………………………… Account number………………………… Account holding branch…………………………….….. Sort code…………………………………

2. Payee details Name of organisation 12 Group Royal Observer Corps Association Payment reference Subs Bank sort code 08-92-99 Account number 65418556

3. About the payment How often are the payments to be made Yearly Amount details Date and amount of first payment 25 Mar 2015 £ [please put total of subscription currently £7, plus any donation if any] Date and amount of ongoing payments 15 Feb £ (If different from the first payment) Choose one of the following two options *1. Date and amount of final payment £ *2. Until further notice payments will be made until you cancel this instruction) [* delete the one that is not applicable]

4. Confirmation Customer signature(s) Date

26

27

Royal Observer Corps Association Patron: Her Majesty the Queen

14TH

MARCH 2015

To: Group Secretaries Copy to: Area Reps

Newsletter Editors Web Editor

News & Information for your members

THE ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS BANNER

TO BE LAID UP IN ST CLEMENT DANES

ON FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2015

THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OBSERVER CORPS

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND

THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF STANDDOWN

WILL BE COMMEMORATED DURING THE

SERVICE

IMPORTANT DECISION ON THE ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS BANNER

Message from National Chairman ~ John has written to all Group Chairman to tell members that at our National Committee meeting held on 28

th February the laying up of the ROC Banner was

discussed at length. Wing Commander Paul Crook from the RAF Ceremonial Office attended to give us a short presentation and to answer questions which had been raised by members of the Association. After a full discussion it was unanimously agreed to proceed with the laying up. An important factor for taking the decision is that we were informed that the Banner cannot remain in the Rotunda in perpetuity. We all agreed that 2015 is the most suitable year to lay up the Banner while many of us were fit and able to attend the ceremony. Wing Commander Crook told us the first Banner currently on display at St Clement Danes will remain on display along with our second Banner. The Chairman appreciates that some members will be disappointed at this decision but the National Committee and our President, Air Marshal Spink, feel that this is both the correct decision and the correct time to lay up the Banner. It will take its place along with all the others in the RAF Church in London it will help cement the close relationship between the RAF and the ROC for many generations to come. We hope that as many members and ex Corps people will want to attend this prestigious occasion and we ask all Groups to come together to ensure that the laying up of our Banner is conducted in such a proper and dignified manner as befits our proud history.

Planning the Service & Commemorations ~ Hilary Daniel, Joyce Shrubbs Mick Marks, Diana Mothersole and myself will on behalf of the National Committee plan and steer the arrangements with the logistical support of the RAF Ceremonial Office to ensure that as many people as want may attend and that it is conducted in a dignified and appropriate manner. The sub group are to meet on Monday 16

th March following which I will let Groups have more details on the time of the

service and plans for the day.

28

March 2015 Snippets page 2

Visit the Rotunda to view the Banner ~ the next visit is on Tuesday 30th

June at 10am all Groups and individuals please contact National Secretary, Jenny Morris, to book a place. Visits last approx. 1½ hours will include the Rotunda and library at RAF College Cranwell. Dress smart /smart casual, a maximum of 30 places. The visit is open to ROC/ROCA members and their guests. The Curator cannot offer later times during the day for the tour please do not ask.

Please note the Curator forewarns that due to a College commitment that comes in after the booking a visit may have to be cancelled and rearranged.

National Arboretum – Saturday 16th

May 2015 ~ We will commemorate 90 years since the formation of the then Observer Corps in 1925 and all who have served in the Corps throughout its 70 year history to 1995. The annual informal ROCA day at our National Grove members usually arrive from around midday. At 1300 gather in the Grove were a short commemorative event will take place. It is planned that each Group’s representative will plant a small Remembrance Cross at the foot of each tree with one planted on behalf of all at the ROC Memorial. The National Standard will be present and ROCA Chaplain Hilary Daniel and the Reverend David Simpson will conduct a brief commemoration of reflection and Remembrance. Berets and medals are to be worn.

National Reunion –2nd to 4th October 2015

The 26

th Reunion at The Prince of Wales Hotel, Lord Street, Southport PR8 1JS details, booking

form and directions are with your Group Secretaries and available at www.rocatwentytwelve.org The Cost The cost of the weekend package: The 2 night package £140 per person for 2 nights in a double or twin (total £280 for 2 people) £160 per person for 2 nights in single occupancy (total £160 for 1 person) The three nights package DBB (Thurs or Sunday) will be for a total cost of £190 per person double/twin (total £380 for 2 people), £205 for single. The hotel has 154 en-suite rooms with no restriction on the number of single rooms. Please send your bookings

with £30 per person deposit to your Group Secretary/ Organiser. Weekend Programme Details on the weekend programme will follow the July National Committee meeting. On Friday a room will be available for our use to meet, chat purchase light refreshments. It is planned to provide a meeting room for those who prefer to stay in the hotel Saturday afternoon to meet, greet and recall ROC times. Note booking closing date 31 August 2015.

Annual Delegates Meeting on Saturday morning 3rd October have your say on how your Association functions and evolves. If you cannot attend speak to your Group Committee/ Area Reps on any aspect of ROC Association business/policy you seek clarification upon and would like discussed at the ADM. The National Committee will ensure sufficient time is made available in the agenda for Delegates and members to raise and discuss Association related issues. To facilitate circulation to all Groups for discussion please submit to me Resolutions for the ADM by 12

th

June 2015, earlier if possible.

29

March 2015 Snippets page 3

Commemorations 2015 ~ the diary of events listed below show 2015 is a very busy year, the Association continues to contribute to the many local and national prestigious events. These offer great opportunities to seek out past ROC members to tell them how to keep in touch as members of the Association and the support available through the ROCBF for those in need. We will also remember the 70

th anniversary commemorations for the end of hostilities and the Corps Stand

down in 1945 and continued support for National events to mark WW1.

Heritage ~ Keep up to date with current events, get involved or pass on any snippets of heritage news contact team members or use the contact button via the heritage website: www.roc-heritage.co.uk. The National Heritage Display will again support a number of National events.

Dates for your 2015 diary further dates will be publish as events are finalised. Full up to the minute details available at www.rocatwentytwelve.org, for specific

heritage related items see www.roc-heritage.co.uk.

9th May Saturday. Guernsey Liberation 70th Commemorations – All welcome 10th May Sunday . VE Day Service and Parade London - details to be announced 16th May Saturday. ROC Grove National Arboretum Alrewas meet from 1200

~ Commemorating 90th Anniversary & all who served until 1995 ~ 30th May Saturday. Stoke Golding Post Open Day for details contact Diana Johnson 8 Grp 14th June Sunday. Broadway Tower Museum & ROC Post – Cotswold ROCA open day and National Heritage Display – all welcome. 19th June Friday. RAFA unveil Memorial Stone to Murray Whitcher – National Arboretum Alrewas details from Jenny Morris 20th to 21st June Saturday/Sunday. Weston Super Mare Air Day ROCA Heritage Display – All welcome details Jenny Morris 27th June Saturday Armed Forces National Parade + ROCA Heritage Display - Guildford 27th June Saturday. Plymouth Armed Forces Day on the Hoe 30th June Tuesday. ROCA Tour of RAF College Cranwell- view the Banner in the Rotunda 12th July Sunday. The Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary RAF North Weald Parade and ROCA National Heritage Display details Edwina Holden 12th July Sunday .The Battle of Britain Parade Capel Le Ferne 17th to 19th July Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday. Royal International Air Tattoo Fairford ROCA Heritage Display in the Veterans Area 20th September Sunday Battle of Britain Service Westminster Abbey 2nd to 4th October. ROCA 26th National Annual Reunion Prince of Wales Southport 3rd October Saturday. Annual Delegates Meeting Prince of Wales Southport 23rd October Friday. ROC Banner laid up St Clement Danes Church London -all welcome 5th November Thursday. Field of Remembrance Westminster 8th November Sunday. Remembrance Parade Cenotaph

ROCBF ~ One way the Trustees are reaching out to those in need is through their Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/RoyalObserverCorpsBenevolentFund.

Area Reps Committee Meeting ~ the next scheduled issue of snippets will follow the Area Reps

meeting to be held 11th July 2015. Regular updates prior to that meeting will be sent to Groups and

published on the web site. All Group Secretaries and Editors are requested to regularly browse

the ROCA web site for the latest news and information to pass on to all members.

R E M E M B E R! www.rocbf.org.uk The Royal Observer Corps Benevolent Fund is still there for those that are in need.

It may not be you, but it could be someone that you know