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PLEASE WEAR A POPPY


"Please wear a poppy", the lady said
And held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;

But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet.

His smile was full of joy and fun,
"Lady," says he, "may I have one?"
When she's pinned it on he turned to say,
"Why do we wear a poppy today?"

The lady smiled in her wistful way and answered
"This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free.
That's why we wear a poppy, you see.

I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew
And became a man as you will, too.

He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day
When he smiled at me and said, "Goodbye,
I'll be back soon, Mum, so please don't cry."

But the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night),
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.

Till at last, at last, the war was won
And that's why we wear a poppy son."
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son, did he come back all right?"

A tear rolled down each faded cheek;
She shook her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you'd have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
Though our freedom was bought and thousands paid!

And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy!
Remember and give!

. . . Don Crawford

 

Last Post

L/Cpl Rodger Fredrick Boileau (REME)

who passed away suddenly on 20/3/2010 in France
 Rodger his survived by wife Pat and Family

Rest in Peace Rodger

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Bdr David Hughes on Tuesday 15/6/2010

Rest in peace David

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Norman Archibald Weir on the 27/12/2009

Norman served in HQ Bty from 1970 – 1974

RIP Norman

________________________________________________________________________________

Steve Rosie passed away in 2008 of a heart attack
Steve served in 51 Battery

RI P Steve

_____________________________________________

Kenneth James Barry on Tuesday the 9 th of February 2010

Ken is survived by his wife Liz & his Children Kevin, Keren,

Samantha, Melanie and Neil

Ken Served in 36 Oliphant's Bty RA during 1969 – 1976

RIP Ken

____________________________________________________ 

Robert (Bob) Etheridge in December of 1994

and latterly of his wife Kath Etheridge in May of 2009

Bob served in H Q Battery from 1966 - 1969

RIP Bob

____________________________________________________

Former Bdr Fred Tonks died recently in Chester Hospital
Fred served with the RHA. 32 Medium Regt R A , 74Bty (Battle Axe Company R A)
and 50 Missile Regiment R A

Rest in Peace Fred

_________________________________________________________________________

WO2 Brian Compton on the 5/1/2010
Brian was the BSM of 19 & 51 Bty's and finished his career as a WO1

R I P Brian

_________________________________________

John (Jonny) Clayton on the 12/11/2008
John Served from 1959 to 1978 in
14 Field Regt-24 Missile Regt- 50 Missile Regt also
JL.R.A Bramcote.

R.I.P Jonny

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Brian ( Dodger) Green on the 16/November/2009
Dodger served in 56 Bty as Signal Sgt and 36 Bty as Signal Sgt
HQ Bty as S/Sgt in the Officers Mess

RIP Dodger

_______________________________________________________________________________

Former W01 (SMAC) Thomas Rendall Pratt passed away on the 8-4-2009 .

Tom was the Chief Clerk of the Regiment 1968-1976

RIP Tom

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Ann Matheson 21/ Feb / 09
The wife of Sandy Matheson
Sandy served in 33 Bty in the 60's

RIP Ann

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Our Chairman Bdr John Blackbourn passed away today on the 28/02/09
John served in 33 Bty & 56 Bty's from 1966 to 1978

Also as Chairman of the 50 Missile Club for 15 years

RIP John
______________________________________________________________________________

Ann Gray the Wife of the late Bdr Fred Gray (15 Bty & HQ Bty)
Passed away peacefully in her sleep today 18 / 01 / 2009
RIP Ann

__________________________________________________________________

Sgt Keith Billam who passed away on the 19/02/09
in North Manchester General Hospital he left 50 in 1975

RIP Keith
_________________________________________________________________

Our Patron
Major General Geoffrey de Egglesfield Collin passed away on the
14th/Feb/2009 a former
Commanding Officer of 50 Missile Regiment R.A 1962 - 1964

RIP Geoffrey
________________________________________________

S.A.C. Howe passed away on the 31/December/2008 aged 56 years
SAC served in 36 Arcot (1751) Bty R A during 1970 - 1982

RIP Sac

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Robert (Bob) Etheridge in December of 1994 and latterly his wife Kath Etheridge in May of 2009

Bob served in H Q Battery from 1966 - 1969

Rest in Peace Bob & Kath

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WO2 George (Jim) Short passed away on 1/8/2004
Jim was the BSM of 15 Bty 1967 to 1968

RIP Jim

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Bdr Alan Liddle Passed away on the 14/11/2008
Alan served in 15 Bty from 1958 - 1964
He is survived by his wife Ann & Family

RIP Alan (mate)

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WO2 Peter (Scouse) Getty who passed away on the 9/September/2008
Scouse served in 19 & 15 Btys during 1977 to 1986

RIP Scouse

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Greg Lawrence Passed away on the 14 December 2008
Greg was a Cpl in the REME and served in 50 Missile Regiment R A
during 1975 - 81

RIP Greg

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George McGillvery Passed away on the 13 - November - 2006
George served in 21 Bty during 1964 - 1968

Rest in Peace George

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Ted Bowen passed away on the 29 - November - 2005

Rest in Peace Ted
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Reg Busby passed away on the 16-July-2007
Reg was the oldest Member of the Club
Reg served from 1949 - 1951

Rest in Peace Reg
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On the 3rd August 2007 Capt John Gannon
Quartermaster Tech & Q.M from 1960 to 1964 passed away

Rest In Peace John
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Big Jock (Richard) Kirk ex 51 Bty SDG passed away on 5 Aug 07
Rest in Peace Richard
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Lillian Beverage aged 68 the wife of former WO 2 Magnus Beverage B.S.M. of
15 Battery passed away on the 27 th May 2007
Rest in Peace Lillian
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(Sgt) George Bryan Sides passed away on the 1/12/2006
George was in 15 Battery from 1960 to 1975
rest in peace George
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hilda Templeman on Monday who passed away on 22/01/07
Hilda was the widow of WO2 Ron Templeman who served in 21 Gibraltar Bty in the 60's
Rest in Peace Hilda
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Sgt Les Harrison who passed away on the 15/01/07

Rest in Peace Les
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Elle Timlin the Wife of James (Scouse) Timlin
passed away on the 12/01/07
Rest in Peace Elle
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Brigadier David K Neville
Commanding Officer of 50 Missile Regt R A.
Lt Col David K Neville on the27th Feb 2006 aged 77
Rest in Peace David
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 Linda Simpson the wife of
former W02 Brian Simpson who passed away on the 23/10/06
Rest in Peace Linda
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gnr Doug Miller died on the 12th July 2006 aged 46.
Rest in Peace Doug
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Sgt Joe Hurley on the 27/09/2006 (Joe was a Bdr PTI in the 60's)
Rest in Peace Joe
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Gnr George Dale on the 5th September 2006
George was the Battery Clerk in 33 Battery in the mid 60's
Rest in peace George
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 BSM Fred Pleasants who passed away on the
5 th October 2005
Fred was 79 years old
Rest in Peace Fred

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Fred Huggins passed away on Sunday the 13/08/06.
Fred was a Sgt in " Y" Survey Troop HQ Battery,
and served in15 Bty during the early 70'

Rest in Peace Fred

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BSM Norman Greatham
who passed away on Friday the 18th August 2006 aged 78 years
Norman was the BSM in 33 Battery RA.

Rest in peace Norman

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Mrs Ada Pringle on the 28/01/06
Ada was 85 years old and was the wife of the late WO11 (Pinky) Pringle
of 33 Battery R.A in the 1960's.

Rest in Peace Ada

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Ex L/Bdr Alf (Geordie) Holey on the 01/04/06
He served 15 Bty During the 60's
Geordie was married to Franis who worked in the Church Army

Rest In Peace Alf

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19/February/2005
Former L/Bdr Brian (Wiggy) Evans
Brian Served in 21 Gibraltar ( 1779-83 ) Battery R A

Rest in Peace Brian

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Mrs Eve Hillman on the 30/June/2004
Evelyn was married to Adrian H Hillman HQ Battery
Medical Centre 1989 to 2003

Rest in Peace Adrian

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Mick Bricklebank who passed away in his sleep on
Monday 28/03/2005

Rest in Peace Mick

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Former Sgt Geoffrey. J. Rhyce–Reece on the 12/12/04.
Geoff served in HQ Bty from 1962 to 1969.

Rest in Peace Geoff

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Former Bdr Harry (Ricky) Richardson passed away on 25/June/04

Ricky served in 33 Battery and latterly with H.Q. Battery

Rest in peace Ricky

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L/Bdr Jimmy Furness passed on the 26/June/04

Jimmy was in HQ Battery in the 60's & 70's

Rest in Peace Jimmy

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Peggy Leath the wife of ex RQMS Bill Leath passed

away onThursday the 25th June 04

Rest in Peace Peggy

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Magaret Baldwin passed away on 06/05/04

Rest in Peace Magaret

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Mrs Mary McHugh MBE passed away on Tuesday 1st June 2004

Rest in Peace Mary

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L/Bdr Alec Hughes

Passed away on the 16th January 2004

Alec served with HQ & 21 Gibraltar Battery's

Rest in Peace Alec

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Bdr Malcolm Goodwin

Passed away on the 10th October 02

Malcolm served with 51 Kabul Battery

Rest in peace Malcolm

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Wo11 Joe Dove

Passed away on the 10th July 02

Joe served with 78 Bty from 1962 to 1978

Rest in Peace Joe

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L/bdr Walter (Wally) Coe

Who passed away suddenly on Friday the 31st May 2002

Wally served in the Regiment from December1955 - 1964

with 33 Battery

(Rest in Peace Wally)

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Former Wo1 Ron Templeman

Passed away on 30th December 2001

Ron served with 15 & 21 Gibraltar Batterys

Rest in peace Ron

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Former S/Sgt Jim Broadley

Passed away on Saturday the 24-11-2001

Jim served in 21 Gibraltar Battery

(Rest in peace Jim)

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Gnr Ron James Brazier passed away on the

18/September/2003 in Irvine

Ron served in 33 Bty from 1956 to 1958

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Ex Bombardier Robert (Bob) Cain

passed away on 13/March / 2002

Bob served in 50 Heavy Ack Ack Regiment fom 1950 - 1952 in 167 Battery

Bob was a Member of Guilford Branch of the R.A.A. and was Standard Bearer for 3 years.

Rest in Peace Bob

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Bdr A.C. R Cook aged 59. had passed away 0n 21/March/03
He served in 24 & 50 Missile Regiments

Rest in Peace

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Former Sgt Neville Coombs passed away on the 08-02-2002 in Bristol
Neville was Provo Sgt in the 60's

Rest in Peace Neville

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Former Bdr Gordon McBride of HQ &15 Battery's Passed away on 18/05/2001
He was not a Member of the Club

Rest in peace Gordon

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Marion Brazier passed away on the 30/July/2001

Marion was the wife of Ron Brazier who served

in the Regiment during 1956-1958 in 33 Bty

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Former Gnr Andrew Boyd passed away on the 30-Nov-02

Andrew was in his 40s and he served in 15-19-36 Battery's although not a member of the Club
he was going to join but he was to ill at the time

Rest in Andrew

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Dorothy Coombs passed away on the 11-11-2000 in Worcester

Dorothy was the wife of Former Sgt Neville Coombs

Rest in Peace Dorothy

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WO2 Ken Piper in is 60 th year on 26/Jan/1990
Ken served in HQ Bty

R.I.P Ken

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Pat Piper Kens wife in her 65 th year on the 2/Feb/1998

R.I.P Pat

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50 Medium Regiment R A men killed in Action

during Cyprus Conflict 1956 – 1958

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25 th September 1956 Sgt Andrew Hay aged 25yrs

(Killed by a Bomb north Paphos District)

RIPAndrew

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28 th October 1956 L/Bdr Edward Bruce Morgan aged 23 years

(Killed in a bomb Blast in Stroubmi on a Mail Run)

RIP Edward
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28 th October 1956 Gnr Robert Doe aged 19 years

(Killed in a bomb Blast in Stroubmi on a Mail Run)

RIP Robert

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3 rd November 1956 WO11 (BSM) William Edward Cutsforth aged 30 years

(Died in a mine blast in KTIMA/POLIS Road )

RIP William

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We will remember them


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