aoba_reunion2010sat-02

ARBORFIELD OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION 47th REUNION.

ARBORFIELD - Friday 30th July to Sunday 1st August 2010 inclusive.

The following report contributed by Trevor STUBBERFIELD (52A)

Photographic contributions as attributed..

Saturday. The Drumhead Service & Barbeque.

The Order of Service.

Photo R10-DH-01 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

Photo R10-DH-02 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

Photo R10-DH-03 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

Photo R10-DH-04 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

The Reverend Steven B Thatcher took the Service with music supplied by the Stephen Nye Quintet.

Photo 10-2439 © Max Warwick 49B

The AOBA Standard to be laid on the Drumhead Altar.

Photo 10-2440 © Max Warwick 49B

The congregation of Arborfield Old Boys.

Photo 10-2442 © Max Warwick 49B

Arborfield Old Boys.

Photo 10-2448 © Max Warwick 49B

There is a very poignant moment during the service when the names of those Old Boys who have been recalled to H.Q. since the last OABA Reunion are read out. This year Remembrance Poppies were laid for nineteen of the comrades we had lost.

Photo R10-36 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

There were those who had been connected with this web site and who, for The Editor, had a very highly valued significance. Frank Bass 52A I met in February 1952 and shared Room F6 with for our first six months.

Arthur Humpston, Jersey 1938 / Arborfield 1939 I had been in contact with regarding his memories of his days when he was sent to Jersey at the start of his career.

Photo R10-33 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

Barney O’Shea 45B, a world renowned expert in rotary wing aircraft who always corresponded with a twinkle in his eye and a chuckle in his messages.

Dan Rennie 53B who I met in 1953 when he joined H.Q. Company and in later years corresponded from his home in the Land of the Long White Cloud right up to his passing.

Photo R10-34 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

John Simon 52A whose service was cut short after six months by a medical problem but who, despite his doubts, was always considered as one of our own by the 52A Intake..

Photo R10-35 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

Obituaries for these five special Old Boys can be read from our In Memoriam section.

Following the reading of the names and the act of Remembrance the stillness is broken by the sounds of

The Last Post

Flowers Of The Forest

Then comes the Silence to be broken by

Reveille

Within the vicinity of the Memorial Garden is a tree dedicated to the memory of….

Photo R10-38 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

….Ken Schofield 62C, brother of David 65A, the current webmaster of the AOBA web site.

Photo R10-37 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

Bless them! A vote of thanks to the very reassuring presence of the ‘Green Team’, the Paramedics who keep watch over us during the weekend. Our minds may tell us on these occasions that we are still in our teens but unfortunately our bodies would dispute that and rebel against any unwanted stresses and strains.

Photo R10-39 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

‘Fools rush in where wise men hang back a bit – just in case’

Photo R10-32 © Trevor Stubberfield 52A

B.B.Q. Time.

With the formal side of the Reunion now done and dusted it was back to the WOs & Sgts mess to relax, quench our thirsts and enjoy some banter and the lunch. The City of Rochester Pipe Band played a final burst to the applause of the gathered Old Boys, appreciative of the part the band once again had played in our celebrations.

Click on the Photo to enjoy a quick burst of ‘Killiekrankie’

Tony Church 55A had set out his stall with his limited edition souvenir mugs and DVDs of the 2009 AOBA Reunion, proceeds to swell the coffers of the Army Apprentice National Memorial Fund. Grab one while you can, they are selling like hot mugs. A fag card for a mug doesn’t seem to be a fair swap though.

Of course, the King’s Crown is the one to go for. Why settle for anything else?

Craving your indulgence, The Editor has spotted himself spreading real butter on his roll in preparation for the insertion of a long sausage, delicacies forbidden when his manager is watching, but luckily she wasn’t there.

Something for everybody.

Royal Worcester, Wedgwood, Limoges or just plain NAAFI? Send for the ‘Cash in the attic’ team.

Now that’s what you call an enlargement.

The Golden Boys of the 60s

Published: 1st September 2010

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Saturday Continued.