On Sunday 25th October 2009, the RMA celebrated its 345th Birthday with a Corps Luncheon at the recently renovated RSL, Ringwood. With everyone taking up their places at the tables and the Swing- masters Band on the stage, our Master of Ceremonies, Albert Boyer, asked all to stand for the Regal Party to make a spectacular entry to take their places at the head table. They were President Dave Wilcox and his wife Pam, Mr Mike Bennett, Guest of Honour and his wife Sue as Honoured Guest, and Mr Stuart Gill, British Consul-General, also invited as an Honoured Guest.
The Ode to the Fallen was recited by Harry Seymour and that was followed by our President proposing the Loyal Toast to Her Majesty the Queen, whose beautiful portrait, adorned by red flowers, hangs above the stage. She always appears to be keeping a watchful eye on all of us! Our Honorary Padre Rev. Hugh McCartney was called upon to say the Grace on behalf of us all, prior to which he conveyed a message from Betty Coffe, aged 90 and widow of our former Padre, Rev. Bill Coffe, who wished to be remembered to everyone on this great occasion.
Thanks to Margaret and her RSL catering staff, the hall was most attractively set out. Our two Standards were proudly positioned on the stage in the double flag holder recently made by Bert Love. Grateful thanks was given to our MC’s wife, Jan, for the most colourful flower arrangements and napkins she produced for every table, and to her husband Taff for his skill in making all the regimental table mats which could be kept as mementos of the luncheon. He also provided a welcoming sheet which explained the traditional events that would be taking place that afternoon.
We all enjoyed a delightful three course meal during which time Taff came around to visit every table and, using the hand microphone, introduced to everyone certain people who were with us that day. In addition to being MC for the occasion, Taff Boyer ex 40 Cdo, 43 Cdo and 45 CDOs, also acted as Duty DI marching in the Cake Party and introducing them individually to the gathered throng. The cake elaborately decorated was made by Ingrid, one of the RSL catering staff ladies, and what a magnificent job she produced. As always, the cake was cut by the RMA’s oldest and youngest members.
(1) Alec Smith 92 years young, our eldest, joined the Corps in 1940. He rose to the rank of Corporal and qualified as a Drill and Small Arms Instructor. In WWII Alec saw hard service in North Africa and Italy. In May 2009, Alec and his wife, Ada, proudly celebrated their Seventieth Wedding Anniversary — their Platinum Wedding. So, many congratulations!
(2) David Walters, youngest, was RMVR in Plymouth. Before he was old enough to enrol in the Corps, his parents decided the family should emigrate. His father, the late David Walters Snr (past RMA Treasurer) landed with 47 Cdo at Normandy and was also in the Walchren battle. David has given great service to the RMA. He and his wife Sue installed and exhibited the RMA memorabilia for many years at their home in Wonthaggi. David is a Chief Officer in the Fire Brigade and responsible for many stations that cover a very large mass of the State’s southerly area.
(3) Harry Teear celebrated his 75th Birthday two days prior. He was a National Serviceman, being deferred at first because of his trade. He rose to the rank of Corporal and saw action with 40 Cdo on the Suez landing. He also served in Cyprus during the EOKA terrorist campaign. Harry is a carpenter by trade and he worked well after his 65th retirement year. He and his wife, Audrey, spend much of their time touring Australia in a caravan.
(4) Bert Love, our second blue beret on parade, was a Corporal Landing Craft in the ‘Special Ops’. Bert saw action on the Normandy Landing. He was a coxswain of a landing craft that took men of 45 Cdo ashore. He also manned a gun in the furore that saw one of his crew hit. Prior to the landing Bert was on a landing craft that almost sank in a bad storm when crossing the Bay of Biscay. Bert and many more men, who saw so much action, were later sent back to the UK, where they suffered the ignominy of having the recognition insignias taken off their uniforms; even their RM shoulder flashes were removed. They were then put in billets on farms in Kent and given the daily task of gathering potatoes! One can imagine their feelings after what they had been through saving a Nation. They were later asked to sign on, which, as you can imagine, did not go down too well. Bert took the initiative and got demobbed! Then he joined the Army (Royal Engineers). His new role gave him a posting to the West Indies which he very much enjoyed. Bert came to Australia in the 1950s. After various jobs he started his own land irrigation business which flourished. Bert and his family now run the main irrigation company on the River Murray – Riverina area. Bert drives over 750 kms from his home and back to attend the monthly meetings, whenever he can attend. Considering Bert’s age, which is beyond his mid 80-s, it shows his esprit de corps and the real meaning of camaraderie. He is a top bloke and a loyal man.
(5) The last member introduced was our new Social Secretary – Mo Gorham who has been with the RMA for a number of years. Mo was a WO 2 in the Parachute Regiment. He is a great RMA member and has the distinction of serving longer under the Green Beret than the Airborne Cherry Red! Mo was a Forward Observation Officer and he saw plenty of action in Aden and ‘up country’ with CDO. He served a time at Poole, also in Norway with the RM. He was later posted to the Far East and was a Parachute Instructor in Singapore; not long after he was again attached with 3 Cdo Bde in Borneo. After the cake cutting, the party was brought to attention and marched off the floor to an accolade of applause.
During the afternoon, President Dave Wilcox bestowed an Honorary Life Membership on Mike Welton, President of the Airborne Forces Association. This was supported with great acclamation. Mike responded by thanking everyone and said that the honour came as a great surprise. Soon after, Stuart Gill, British Consul-General, gave a short speech saying how honoured he felt to be there, especially as his father, a former Royal Marine, had visited our branch with him earlier this year. Stuart conveyed his wife’s apologies as she was in the UK.
These speeches were followed by our President, Dave Wilcox, making a special presentation of flowers to Elaine Langdon who was to celebrate her Birthday the next day.
Then came the moment all the men were waiting for, namely, the Splicing of the Mainbrace which was conducted by Bert Attwood as they gathered round to sing the traditional song — Bobbing up and down like this!
Finally, many raffled prizes were drawn. Tony Boyle kindly read out the names of all those who had generously donated gifts for the occasion. Our thanks were extended to so many people for all the good work they had done. They included: Mo and Pauline Gorham, Harry and Audrey Teear, Taff and Jan Boyer and Tony Boyle. Applause was given to the Swingmaster Band for providing us with the music for dancing. It was without a doubt, a most memorable occasion and we all look forward to the next one, which has been booked for Sunday 24th October 2010.
David Wilcox, President