It was our sad duty last meeting to have two minutes silence in memory of two of our members that had passed away during the month.
Crossed The Bar
The first one to die was Billy Gibson, RM 10030. I knew Bill way back in 1950 while in 42 Cdo, we were on the Commando boxing team together and he ended up in A Troop with me. Bill started off as a National Service marine but towards the end of his service he couldn't see anything outside for him so he signed up for his 7 & 5. Bill was a Geordie through and through and was known as “Geordie” Gibson. He was one of the few people who got married on HMS Victory on which he was serving at the end of his time.
The other one to die was Eric Forster, CH/X 101438. I can't tell you much about Eric, as he was another one who never filled in his Personal History sheet. I do know that he was a Colour Sergeant and was a big ship marine throughout his service.
The Association was represented at both of their funerals. Our condolences go out to all their family members.
The Doylo trip
I couldn't make the trip to Doyalson RSL for our get together, but I have received glowing reports on how the club looked after our members who went. We could have had more there, but track works put a brake on some of the members who would have been there, plus a bit of sickness. They supplied three or four bottles of wine to put in the raffle plus a huge plate of prawns to get stuck into. Who payed for them was a bit of a mystery but that didn't stop the blokes, and ladies, hoeing into them. All in all it was a very successful function and no doubt we'll be going there next year.
RM Charitable Fund
At the last meeting it was voted that we send one hundred pounds to the UK as a donation to a PTI fund raiser. We all know that PTI's are very muscular, especially between the ears and a bunch of them are going to do the full Commando tests, an effort that usually takes a week, over 24 hours. Sooner them than me! The monies raised will be going to the RM Charitable fund which is used to help rehabilitate fellows come back from Afghanistan with wounds etc.
Talking about that fund, I had a very pleasant surprise the other day. The family of Alan Argent, a past member, sent a cheque to forward to the fund. A very nice gesture indeed.
Corps birthday
While on the social scene, at the time of my typing this epistle there is only three weeks to the Corps Birthday luncheon. We need more numbers so please, please, let me know you will be there.
Don't forget that raffle prizes will be most welcome, so that we can keep Normie Bowes busy selling tickets. The cost is $35-00 for non members and a subsidised cost of $18-00 for members. Once again we have invited the wives of deceased members as our guests. There will be a hot and cold buffet plus customary tots etc as usual. We will be in the upper smaller room which is far better for our needs. Get those names to me soonest please. A reminder that it will be held on Sunday 23rd. October at Chatswood RSL. Rig of the day, blazer & flannels.
As you know, or should do, the Corps will be celebrating its 350th Birthday and celebrations will be carried out all over the world. It was passed at the meeting that a separate fund be set up into which we put $20 each month to go towards the celebrations. It was also passed that we hold a mini reunion, just for pre served Royals and their partners in 2014, probably held at Chatswood RSL. Invites would be sent to all RM Associations in Australia, plus New Zealand, to take part. There is plenty of time to organise things at this point in time.
Welfare
We have got a few welfare cases this month.
- The inimitable Georgie Bush has to go back into hospital for a stent to be put into his leg artery to try and help his circulation. I was reliably informed that at the Doyalson RSL he appeared with one shoe and one slipper. I've heard of excused boots but never excused boot!
- Eric “the Guv” Hastings has been having all sorts of things done to him in hospital but he still managed to make the meeting. Betty, his wife, went into hospital regarding her tumour but was sent home the same day and told to take a Panadine Forte! The marvels of medical science eh!
- Mick Axtell had an operation on his foot. It was a toenail job and he also was in and out of hospital the same day.
- There have also been a few members suffering from the flu but are now on the mend.
Christmas
I've just had a phone call from the printer to tell me that this year's Christmas cards will be ready to pick up on Thursday, so if you want some of these exclusive cards please let me know. They will cost $12-50 for a packet of ten, including envelopes - get in quick.
Until next time . . .
I'll finish with a poem that I found in amongst my files, what it refers to I've got no idea.
Oh listen to the story of the Colonel
Who went out to shoot a killer kangaroo.
He rose early in the morning
Just as the day was dawning
And he hoped to bring back some meat to make a stew,
Make a stew, make a stew, but he didn't know exactly what to do.
So we put him in a jeep,
Told him not to shoot a sheep
And sent him out to bring home one or two.
He sighted one and shouted Tally Ho!
In the best tradition of the British hunt.
Then he raised his gun to shoot
That fearful fighting brutes, he shot at Germans on the Western Front,
Western Front, Western Front.
Where the Corps had taken part in every stunt.
So he sighted on his nuts,
Put the bullet through its guts
And the frightful brute gave one last dying grunt.
He placed his foot upon that mighty beast
As a Roman Gladiator long ago.
With his hat upon his head,
Said marines have always led, for they always put on such a wizard show,
Wizard show, wizard show.
And his twenty years of service made him glow.
Though the Dutch gave us Gibraltar
Here's a truth they cannot alter
The marines alone have struck THIS epic blow .
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