A report on the 2008 RSA reunion weekend
Early arrivals booked into Reception on the Friday afternoon to collect their meal tickets, programme and souvenir lapel badges. These included around 30 caravanners and members from RSA branches in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England.
The various static display were up and running by 0900 hrs on the Saturday and these included; a collection of around 70 old civilian and military vehicles (kindly arranged by Len Melling), 26 Harley-Davidson and other large motor bikes (kindly arranged by Terry Inman), the local Pimpernel (Royal Signals) Beagle Pack, a show of today’s equipment provided by Deployable Systems Group Royal School of Signals, plus vehicles and equipment as used by soldiers from 37 Sig Regt(V) during last year’s flood relief operations. Also up and running was the indoor range where RSA members were able to fire the SA80 rifle. Pam Morgan was there to present her late husband’s speedway race bibs to the Museum. Her husband Colin and several other RSA members were part of teams set up in Germany, Egypt and other countries in the 40s and 50s. Trevor Davies had written a book on this, called “War Zone Speedway” and he was on hand to sell and sign his book. Several former speedway riders were present with their bikes, including James Bond who, after being in the White Helmets Display Team whilst serving in the Corps, went on to ride for Wolverhampton and England.
The traditional Princess Royal Day Parade started at 1030 hrs. The officers and soldiers of 11th Signal Regiment were led by their CO Lt Col James Langley. The excellent standard of drill in evidence was down to the training by WO1(RSM) T Bickerstaff. The Master of Signals, General Sir Sam Cowan, inspected the troops and took the salute in the march past.
Many RSA members joined the soldiers from the parade in the Semaphore Arms bar afterwards, then went into the Regimental Restaurant for the ‘all ranks lunch’.
The Corps Band, under direction of Capt R G K Booth, started proceedings for the afternoon arena display on Hawke Square. This was followed by a display by the Corps Free Fall Parachute Display Team, led by WO1 Rob Campbell. All of the team landed on or very near the target in the middle of the square. The Corps Pipes & Drums, led by Corps Pipe Major WO2 Billy Wardrope, then gave an excellent rendition of several traditional Scottish tunes.
The Royal Signals Motor Cycle Display team (White Helmets) thrilled the crowd with a performance of tricks, high speed crosses and jumps. Terry Inman then led the Harley- Davidsons from the Christchurch Cruiser Club, on a drive past around the square. The Corps RSM, WO1 Dave Taylor took the finalists for the standard bearers competition through their paces to determine the overall winner.
The crowd then enjoyed a performance by the Corps ‘Northern Band’. The Band is made up of members of the TA at 34 Sig Regt (V). Included in the performance was a cameo display of Irish dancing by local girls. After a drive past by a selection of the many old vehicles on display, the Master of Signals presented the prizes for the standard bearers competition. This year, John Mumford (Reading Branch) took the honours, with Bill McNamara (Glasgow) runner up. The massed bands then played a finale before the ‘Sunset ceremony’ ended the show. Many of the members stayed on to enjoy a get together with the serving members of the HQ Sgts Mess in the evening.
Members gathered on the square at 1030 hrs on the Sunday for the traditional ‘Drum Head Service’ conducted by the Garrison Chaplain the Rev Rupert Jarvis and Hon RSA Chaplain the Rev Peter Clemett. Standards were ‘laid up’ during the first hymn and collected during the last hymn. Members of the Rotherham and Sheffield Branches kindly acted as sidesmen and took the collection, which raised £479.00 for the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund.
Following the service, the Corps RSM rounded up the members and led them on the familiar March Past. Most members appreciated his expected ‘gentle beasting’, but to some it came as a bit of a surprise.
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Saturday Morning
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Saturday Afternoon
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Sunday Morning
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