19 Signal Regiment Association - Reunion 2008

Members of the 19th Signal Regiment met in reunion at the Hilton Hotel, Warwick, over the weekend of September 12th - 14th. The main party arrived on Friday afternoon and were joined at dinner by Lt Rachael Clayton, who had just returned from a tour as detachment commander in Afghanistan, and Lt Edward Bodger who is due to assume that post later in the year. After dinner they talked to us about conditions in Afghanistan, the work of 21st Signal Regiment detachments and thanked us for the parcels that our members had sent to the detachment at Christmas. Some members then retired to the bar to speak to them further whilst others watched the DVD 'Seletar Through the Ages', a DVD produced by the RAF Seletar Association.

We now have the names of detachment commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan and so can send parcels post free. We are also investigating the possibility of giving toys at Christmas to children whose fathers are serving overseas.
The following morning a coach took us to Kidderminster where we embarked on a beautifully restored First Class carriage of the Severn Valley Railway and travelled, by steam train to Highley. There we disembarked and enjoyed a conducted tour of the recently constructed engine shed and visitor centre. A quick snack in the restaurant with incomparable views over the Severn valley and we were off again to Bridgenorth, the terminus of the line.

Bridgenorth, founded in the 11th century, is described as 'virtually unique'! The low town is built along the river bank whilst the high town perches on a sandstone cliff overlooking the river. The two are joined by a Victorian funicular railway that carries passengers 'at a stately pace through a steep defile cut in the cliff’. It was market day and the ladies particularly enjoyed walking leisurely in the afternoon sun looking at the stalls and nipping into the clothes shops before a cup of tea or ice cream and back to the station where our coach waited to return us to the hotel. Ted Harper and his nephew Amold joined us for the outing and whilst they thoroughly enjoyed the ride on the steam train. Ted walks with great difficulty and did not feel able to join us for dinner.

Back at the hotel the rear party had arrived and were deep in meaningful conversation. All moved into the dining room for dinner and AGM. Brigadier Max Maxfield welcomed members, particularly new members Brian & Nicola Tewkesbury attending for the first time, Mrs Rose Harvey, and Ray & Pat Cank's son, Carl, and daughter, Kelly, and their spouses. He continued by paying tribute to Colonel Colin Gilbert, our president until his death in April and noting that George Brew, our founder member and first Chairman, had expressed his sorrow that he was no longer able, due to deteriorating health, to join us.

Although the Major Domo was Turkish and most waitresses were from Eastern Europe the food came swiftly and members eventually received the meals that they had chosen! Port and Madeira were dispensed and toasts drunk. Pat Soward thanked the hotel staff for their willingness and 'can do' attitude that contributed so much towards our enjoyable weekend and then thanked the committee members for their untiring efforts.
Committee members were re-elected unanimously and the financial statement was passed without comment so the AGM was, as always, short and sweet. In a Hurry of spending members descended on the regalia table and stocked up with Christmas cards before retiring to the bar area for a nightcap.

After a full English breakfast committee members met for a discussion and agreed with little difficulty to return to the Hilton again next year and John and Joyce Home 'volunteered' to investigate the possibility of a trip on a canal barge.

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