President's Piece

PRESIDENT'S CGA UPDATE (15 JULY 2011)

My aim had been to post something on this tab at least once a year; clearly I have failed and am ashamed to see that it is two years since my last missive so here is a belated update.  At the time of writing my last piece we were about to say farewell to Lieutenant Colonel Neil Wilson and welcome back his successor, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Smith; the latter has enjoyed a busy tour and is currently commanding the majority of the Regiment in Afghanistan, where all is generally going well for the Brigade and their Gunners.  As ever time flies and Lieutenant Colonel Ed Dawes is due to take over command at the end of this year once the Regiment return from post tour leave.  I know that you would like me to thank Richard for his strong, pragmatic leadership that he has unfailingly delivered during his tenure of command – we all wish him and his family well for whatever the future will bring.  We are delighted to welcome Ed back to the Regiment and congratulate him on being selected for its command; he is currently working in New York with the UN and has much to do with an old friend of ours – Ian Sinclair.

The commemoration of the Commando Gunner Memorial on Sunday 16 January 2011 was a suitably moving and truly memorable occasion – I am sure that all those who were able to attend would agree.  The Memorial is awe inspiring and sited in perfect position in front of the Citadel gates overlooking the City of Plymouth.  I pay tribute to all those who contributed in so many ways – time, money, professional advice and assistance, and especially the enormous fundraising efforts (over £100K).   The end result is a worthy reflection of all that hard work and the Commando Gunners – past, present and future – now have a magnificent focal point for their Acts of Remembrance for all time.  It will be a central feature of this year’s Remembrance Service on Sun 13 Nov 11, which will be two days after 3 Commando Brigade’s ‘Welcome Home’ Parade in Plymouth on Fri 11 Nov (in which the Regiment will naturally be taking part).

Naturally, the Fiftieth Anniversary plans have been taking up an increasing amount of time but we are on track to have a suitably splendid but informal weekend next July.  There will be an increasing amount of detail posted on the Fiftieth Anniversary 2012 tab on this website but let me summarise what is happening.  As Music of the Night (MOTN) has been an integral part of Regimental life (and also Plymouth’s) it has been decided to run the show for one final time next year.  So there are two distinct elements to the 2012 celebrations – MOTN (16-20 Jul 12) and the Fiftieth Anniversary Weekend (21/22 Jul 12) – but these are ‘joined at the hip’, in particular on the evening of Fri 20 Jul (the final performance of MOTN).  It is hoped that this last night will be a sell out to Commando Gunners but that is up to all of us to make it so. To encourage this to happen we shall have a couple of months when tickets will be on sale EXCLUSIVELY to the Commando Gunner family prior to the official launch in late October this year when tickets will go on sale to the public.  The booking form will be available on this site ONLY from 15 Aug 11; as explained – and is usual for these type of events – you will have to commit your money in order to secure your tickets, so book early to avoid disappointment!  The outline programme of events for the Fiftieth Anniversary weekend will be:

SATURDAY 21 JUL 12

·       A Thanksgiving Service in St Andrew’s Church (there is unlikely to be room inside for everybody but there will be a large screen outside for those unable to get a seat.  The CGA will lead on organising this event – supported by the Regiment

·      Exercising the Freedom of the City – post the service the Regiment will parade with their colours through the City of Plymouth.  The Regiment will organise this event with the City (there will be a contingent of past members on parade – details to follow)

·      Royal Citadel Open Day – during the Saturday afternoon there will be an Open Day in the Citadel (clear NLT 1700hrs).  Regiment to lead but with significant support from the CGA.

·      Reunion – the reunion event will start with a Beating Retreat and carry on in Battery bars on the square until ….!

SUNDAY 22 JUL 12

·      Drumhead Service on the square – Regiment to lead with CGA in support

·      Curry lunch in the tents on the square

·      Dispersal

There will be a charge for the food which will be provided on Saturday evening and Sunday lunchtime (cost TBD) and this will be collected at the start of the weekend.  In order to get some idea of numbers you are requested to complete the electronic return form which can be downloaded from the 2012 tab.   The Chairman of the CGA, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Martin Lambert Gorwyn, will be co-ordinating the efforts of the CGA – you will note that we are taking the lead and supporting in several of the events.  I believe strongly that this should be the case as the event is celebrating the first 50 years of the Commando Gunners – it is therefore a weekend for the whole family not just those serving currently.   Please volunteer and let Martin know soonest that you are keen to do so – this has to be a team effort.

I am keen – as I would expect you to be too – that we produce a smart commemorative brochure as a memento of this significant Anniversary.  This will provide a factual record of what the Commando Gunners have done during their first 50 years whilst capturing the ethos of the fraternity.   Photographs and written contributions will be required so please dig into your albums and memories – once the requirement is clarified (in particular the content) you will be called on to contribute.  Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ray Faull is taking the lead in producing this brochure and he will be calling on you for contributions – please support him.

There has been an initiative by the Regiment to commission a piece of silver to mark this important occasion.   The precise form is yet to be decided but it will:  record the batterys that have served, list the campaigns in which we have been involved, capture our long standing relationship with Plymouth and incorporate both Gunner and Commando values.  Although the Regiment may take the lead in organising this, the funding rightfully must come from all of us – watch this space!

Finally, I shall be handing over my responsibilities as Honorary Colonel and President of the CGA to Ian Sinclair on Sun 22 Jul 12 … at the Curry Lunch.  I cannot think of a better successor or a finer note to fade away upon – so it will be Goodbye from me and Good-day from him!

Brigadier (Retired) G L Kerr OBE

Honorary Regimental Colonel

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