21 Gibraltar Battery Association
www.21bty.org.uk

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21 Gibraltar Battery (1779-86) 2008 Reunion
 
Booking details for the 2008 Reunion .
Best Western, Belmont House Hotel, De Montfort Street , Leicester LE1 7GR

Tel: 0116 254 4773.

Please quote BR1710 when booking.
We have pre-booked 25 double room's, until the beginning of Aug 08 at the rate of £65 per couple/night sharing for the Friday and Saturday which is the 17th-18th October 08 after that date the hotel will release the rooms to the general public.
Members will still get this rate just for the Saturday night. Price includes breakfast.
Single occupancy will be £55 per night. It may be cheaper for individuals to share with their mates - just like being back in the Block!!!!!
If you wish to stay for the Sunday night the same rates apply.

A room has been booked for the Saturday AGM
Tickets for the function on the Saturday evening will remain at £20.00 per person
there is a wedding on at the same time as our reunion and the hotel does advise that we book as soon as possible. In the Newsletter (due out end of January) we will have details of other B&B's in the area that you may wish to use.
  
The Standard was on parade at Havant on Remembrance Sunday and we had 12 former members meet up for the first time in ages, all because they saw Steve Buck carrying the Standard.
 
Heather and I fly out to Singapore on Monday for a months backpacking up through Malaya and Thailand and wont be back until 20th Dec, so may I wish you and Mary a very Happy Christmas and my thanks to you, Tony, for giving so much support to the Association and help make 2007 such a successful year.
 Chris

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21 Gibraltar Battery Association 10 th Annual Reunion and Dedication of their Association Standard
in Gibraltar 28 Sept -1 st Oct 2007

By Chris Morgan

In 1997, I approached the then Battery Commander of 21 (Gibraltar 1779-83)AD Battery, Major Toby Hardin, and asked if I could arrange a visit of a few former members to their base at Thorney Island. During the visit it was suggested that we might try and hold a battery reunion. With the support of the BSM Clive Hunt and BQMS Tony Keefe we managed to invite nearly 250 former and serving members to our first reunion. Such was the success and interest shown it was decided that we form a 21Gibraltar Battery Association.

In September 2007 we celebrated our 10 th Annual Reunion and were able to dedicate our own Association Standard. With Gibraltar as our battle honour there was only one place we could hold such an event - Gibraltar itself. Being the secretary and having suggested the possible venue for our 10 th reunion I was given the age old quote ‘ you suggested it, you sort it out ' !

In January 2007 I wrote to Mr Albert Poggio, OBE, the Gibraltar Governments Representative in the UK . A meeting was arranged and a suggested programme for the proposed week end. I was genuinely surprised at the enthusiasm shown by Mr Poggio at the idea of a reunion and dedication of our new Association Standard in Gibraltar . He offered to host a reception for the Association and include a complementary tour of the Rock. It was suggested that I write to the Governor, HE General Sir Robert Fulton, KBE, and ask for permission to use the Kings Chapel for the dedication service. This was duly agreed.

Next we wanted, if operational commitments allowed, to have members of the serving battery attend the reunion week end. With this in mind I arranged to meet the BC, Major Simon Thomas, and his enthusiastic response meant that he would make sure the battery would be represented.

At this point I made contact with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. Historically the Gunners have played a major part in Gibraltar ' s past, and there are very strong ties to the Royal Regiment. The new RSM, WO1 Gerald Fitzgerald, was due to take up his post in July, and until he arrived I was given a great deal of support by the second -in-command Major Mario Alman. By August we had a full programme arranged and all we had to do was to finalise numbers.

On Thursday 27 th September the BC, BSM WO2 Simon Jones, and eight members of the serving battery arrived along with the Association ‘ advance party ' (committee members)! . An ‘ O ' group took place that evening in the Elliott Hotel bar, and as usual, took until the early hours of the morning to discuss all relevant matters!!!

Friday morning was spent with the Padre, Michael Harman, at the Kings Chapel rehearsing the dedication service for our new standard on the Sunday. During the day many members arrived, many flying into Malaga and driving down to Gibraltar . Curly Goodwin flew in from his home in Teneriffe and Bob Giles drove down from his home in Spain . We were particularly pleased to have Chris Ricketts, Paul Goldsborough and friends fly down from Menden , to join in the reunion.

As is normal on our annual reunions we always meet in the bar area on the Friday night to ‘ get acclimatised ' and get as many ‘ I remember when ' stories told as possible, that ' s after trying to recognise everyone. We were very pleased that our President Major General Brian Davies was able to join us as was Lt Col Ian Vere Nicholl, General Secretary of the RACF/RAA. The bar was full but the England Rugby Match did distract members for a short while. The BSM made sure all the lads were there and we all had a most memorable night!

Saturday morning was free and at lunchtime the Association was invited to a reception in the Gibraltar Regimental Veterans Club, hosted by Mr Poggio and the Gibraltar Government. The Chairman of the Veterans Club, Mr Willie Chamberland, very kindly informed us that it was a ‘ free bar ' !! Among invited guests were the Chief of Staff Col J Lyne-Pirkis (RA), Lt Col Ian Vere Nicholl, RSM Fiztgerald, Sgt Averez. The Mayor of Gibraltar ‘ dropped in ' for a quick chat and to welcome us all to Gibraltar . We enjoyed a very nice buffet lunch and at this point Willie Chamberland presented the Association with a plaque. Maj Gen Davies replied on behalf of the Battery/Association thanking Mr Poggio and the Veterans Club for their kind hospitality. Lunch was followed by a complimentary tour of the Rock.

Halfway down the Rock the BC and the lads from 21 changed into ‘ running gear ' and held out the ‘ collecting tin ' for there sponsored charity back in UK . They ran down the Rock, and just for good measure ran back up and like the Grand Old Duke of York, ran back down to the hotel, where soft, cold drinks were eagerly consumed!

We held our AGM just before the evening function, where a message from HM, Queen Elizabeth 2, our Captain General was read out.

The Reunion Party took place on the Saturday evening at the Elliott Hotel in the 8 th floor lounge with some spectacular views of Gibraltar . Our guests for the evening were Col Lyne-Pirkis and Lt Col Vere Nicholl. As a mark of appreciation for everything they had done we had great pleasure in inviting RSM Gerald Fitzgerald and Sgt Kerion Averez and their wives. Like most reunions the first hour went rather quietly, then after the buffet the evening was no stop fun, music and dance. Former BSM Steve Bell, was on hand to make sure that everyone climbed ‘ the Sunshine Mountain ' and that we all performed some rather unusual movements to ‘ Uncle Abraham ' !! During the evening the BSM passed around the collecting tin, and from the monies raised from the raffle the Association donated an extra £100. At this point the serving members were seen to be playing a game with a burnt cork. Never being one to stay back our President joined in the game and very soon was covered in black spots. Although the function finished at midnight many members and guests went on to enjoy the more boisterous entertainment in the Casement Square bars!

The reunion is always important but this weekend the main event was to be the dedication of our own Association Standard. Two years previously I had suggested we might try and raise enough funding for an association Standard. We started fundraising and due to the generosity of one member of the Association we raised the required funds in less than a year!! A Standard has always been, and will be the focal point of any Regiment, Battery Association, Branch. Ours was to be no exception, designed on the Battery Flag, it was indeed a proud moment for the Association when WO2 Steve Buck (CVHQ) carried the Standard up to the altar escorted by a member of 21 (Gibraltar 1779-83)AD Bty on one side and a member of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment on the other, thus making the continuous link between Gibraltar, the serving battery and the Association. The reverend Michael Harman RN(retd) conducted the service in the absence of the Command Padre, Peter Scott. Michael gave a wonderful sermon and it was indeed a very proud, and slightly emotional moment when the Standard was unfurled, dedicated and then laid upon the alter. Maj Gen Davies, Col Lyne-Puikis and Maj Thomas all kindly agreed to do the readings during the service.

We were very honoured that the Commander British Forces, Gibraltar , Commodore Parr, RN kindly agreed to attend the dedication service. We were also pleased to welcome Lt Col John Perez, CO, RG to the service. Unfortunately Col Perez had been unable to attend any other events due to previous engagements. Other guests include the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Capt (retd)Solomon Levy, formerly of the Gibraltar Defence Regiment, who still holds the record for firing the number of Royal Salutes on the Rock, 175!! Capt Levy is also President of the local RBL Branch. We also had representatives from 50 , 27 and 47 Regiments.

After the service the Kings chapel congregation provide us all with light refreshments and this gave the CBF, a chance to talk with everyone.

Sunday afternoon was a very informal time with long lunches enjoyed by everyone.

The Gibraltar Regiment arranged for members to have a guided tour of the tunnels inside the Rock by WO2 Pete Jackson. There are 32 miles of tunnels inside the Rock of Gibraltar including main roads, storage bunkers, workshops, hospitals, accommodation, giant generators. WO2 Jackson is responsible for safety within all the tunnels! The Tunnel Tour finished the official reunion weekend. Some members stayed on for a few days in Gibraltar, others spent a week in Southern Spain and one or two decided to stay up in the Mountain ranges around Rhonda in Southern Spain, mountain walking will never be the same!!!

The success of this weekend is due to many people and I would like to mention in particular Mr Albert Poggio, WO1 (RSM) Fitzgerald, ,Sgt Averez and Mr Willie Chamberland and the Chaplin and members of the Kings Chapel.The staff of the Elliott Hotel . Capt Allan Solly, Membership Secretary RAA. Maj Simon Thoams, WO2 Simon Jones, and the lads from 21. Finally members of the Association for supporting us for the past ten years.

If anyone wants information on a visit/reunion in Gibraltar or any information about how we set up the Association or membership details please contact me,

Chris Morgan on 01748-830645 or chrismorgan222@hotmail.com

web site www.21bty.org.co.uk

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10th Anniversary Newsletter March 2007

Dear members,
            Welcome to the 10th Newsletter. Yet another milestone reached in the distinguished history of the Battery. This year we are going to celebrate our 10th ‘Birthday’ by holding the Annual Reunion in Gibraltar from 28th September to 1st October 2007. A full programme has been arranged and this weekend will include the Dedication of our new Association Standard, made possible by your very generous donations. A more detailed report is included with this Newsletter.
            The new 21 Battery Association Web site is now up and running with a forum so members can contact/chat to each other. It is full of other interesting facts and will now include an Association Shop page with items for sale from the Association AND the Battery. We are now fully affiliated to the Royal Artillery association and feature on their web site.
            Steve Buck and I enjoyed the hospitality of 21 Battery recently. We visited the Battery History Room (just being renovated and updated) were given a tour by SSgt Alan Slater and shown all the new equipment, including parachutes! We also met the BK, Captain John Groves. Finally had a long and informative talk with the BC, Major Simon Thomas. Any rumours that the Battery was not interested in the Association are totally unfounded. The battery is supportive of the Association and likewise the Association is supportive of the Battery. The BC is very keen to support the reunion in Gibraltar this year and a contingent from the battery WILL be attending.
            When the new Standard is dedicated it will be carried by an Association Member, Steve Buck, escorted by a serving member of the Battery and a serving member of the Gibraltar Regiment! The Governor of Gibraltar, General Sir Richard Fulton has been most generous in his support and will be attending the dedication service at the Kings Chapel on Sunday 1st Oct.           

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the reunion/dedication.

The following article was written for the November ’06 issue of the Gunner magazine. It is reproduced here by kind permission of the Battery Commander.

Long Range Desert Patrol By Lt Rob Phillips.

21 Bty prepare to test fire their weapons in the desert

You may not know but 47 Regt’s specialist air assault battery,  21 (Gibraltar 1779-83) AD Bty, RA, has been deployed in Afghanistan in the infantry role since March last year where it was based in Lashkar Gah, the capitol of Helmand Province.  In early August, as the British -led International Security Assistance Force came into being; big plans were made for the battery. As a result, we took under tactical command an Estonian mechanised infantry platoon and pushed some 70 kilometres out of the normal battery area of operations to a town known as Garmser. The Taliban held the area immediately south of the town and were applying continual pressure on the Estonians and Afghan security forces that are usually responsible for security of the town.
In order to temporarily relieve the pressure on the Estonians, the battery was tasked to relieve them in place for a period of 24 hours. To do this the battery provided a platoon sized sub-unit comprising of three multiples and Sgt Jay Oie was given the job of commanding the group. The mission was to maintain an International Security Assistance Force ‘footprint’ on the ground and to engage with the local population.
Shortly after leaving the city of Lashkar Gah the whole operation was nearly struck with disaster when the lead WMIK (a standard, stripped down Land Rover with Weapons Mounted Installation Kit – that includes a pintle-mount suitable for a heavy calibre automatic weapon) was attacked by an improvised explosive device. Luckily the device only partly detonated, leaving a minor dent in the fuel tank and a stream of profanities from LBdr Dan Millard and Sig Dave Nelson, the latter wishing he had listened to his mother and left the Army two years ago!!
Halfway to our destination, the patrol stopped in the desert at a pre-arranged site to test fire the general-purpose machine guns and the 50 calibre heavy machine guns mounted on the WMIKs. Once this task had been completed the Recce group, comprising of three WMIKs and lightly armoured Snatch land Rover, pushed on to clear the remainder of the route into Garmser. As soon as the route was clear the main force rolled into the town centre where we linked up with the resident Afghan security forces who not surprisingly, seemed very happy to see us. The town itself looked like a cross between a set from an Indiana Jones film or a spaghetti western. Sig Scot Rose thought it looked rather like his hometown, Bermondsey!!!
A defensive position was quickly established on the high ground and we received a detailed ground briefing from the local chief of police – a slightly surreal experience as he happily described where the Taliban was hiding, in the process offering to identify there positions more clearly by firing tracer from his AK47 in the direction of a distant wood line. He was tactfully talked out of this by the BC, Major Simon Thomas, who explained that we were not necessarily looking for a fight.
Once fully established, Sgt Oie organised his three multiples into a Recce force, a harbour security force and a quick reaction force. The first patrol conducted a Recce of the town, which quickly established the layout of the town and the location of the police outpost. Sgt Martin Jarvis led the next patrol around the town and on reaching an outpost to the east, headed south along a towpath beside the canal to liase with an Afghan patrol. A short way down the track the Afghans pointed out several enemy positions, but nothing could be seen. Suddenly Sgt Jarvis’s patrol came under a heavy rate of fire from several positions on the far side of the canal.  Reacting swiftly the patrol returned fire and Sgt Jarvis began to extract his patrol as rocket propelled grenades and mortar fire began creeping towards them.
Concurrently, the quick reaction force was dispatched to an RV at the police outpost. On arrival they could see the friendly call signs extracting from the contact along the canal road, with rocket propelled grenades exploding overhead and mortar bombs landing amongst them. The quick reaction force ‘s lead WMIK took advantage of a local mechanic’s vehicle ramp to gain an elevated position from which   it provided covering fire which enabled Sgt Jarvis’ patrol to break contact. At this stage we were still taking a heavy amount of incoming fire from rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and small arms. Having taken a moment to conduct a quick combat estimate, five WMIK’s were sent forward to the canal towpath to get into position to suppress and fix the enemy while we called in close air support. This was achieved through our trusty tactical air controller from 7 RHA, Bdr Ray Anderson. As the battle unfolded the enemy positions became clear. The Taliban were using several compounds and a wood line no more than 500 metres south of our positions. The general purpose and 50 calibre machine gunners were able to place effective and very accurate fire, allowing Bdr Shaun Hale to take several soldiers to a flanking position to stop the Taliban from out-manoeuvring us. Soon a total of seven general-purpose machine guns and three 50 calibres were putting down a formidable weight of fire. Meanwhile, our Afghan allies proved that rocket propelled grenades can be a formidable weapon as they began to fire into the enemy positions on the wood line with great accuracy, five out of six hitting their mark.
Time stood still and minutes seemed to last for hours until eventually the sound of jet engines could be heard from overhead and an American voice was audible from the tactical air controller’s headset. Two A10s swooped into attack and fired over 1,000 30mm rounds and rockets into the Taliban position. As the A10s provided top cover the battery, with no casualties, was able to withdraw to the relative safety of the harbour area.  After consolidating ammunition and fine-tuning the defences, we established a night routine.

The Taliban is renowned for attacking at night so our sentries were fully alert and well briefed. Surprisingly there were no enemy movement during the night, which was probably due to them licking their wounds; it was reported later that they suffered 15 killed and six wounded.

As daylight broke the battery prepared to embark on trying to win a few hearts and minds by mounting a psyops (psychological operations) patrol into the town to engage with the local population. As the patrol went about its work they were able to glean information from a couple of men who lived in the Taliban held areas, but commuted across the canal to work each day. After carrying out a relief in place with the Estonians the three multiples began their move back to Laskhar Gah with the locals asking for us to come back soon. The patrol returned without further incident.

The long-range patrol to Garmser district was a total success. The locals gained confidence in the newly formed International security assistance Force and the Taliban was publicly overwhelmed and out fought by the offensive airborne spirit of 21 Bty RA!! 

 
Most importantly all of the battery returned to their base at Laskhar Gah safe and sound.

THE ASSOCIATION SHOP

The Association has several items for sale: Ties, Blazer Badges, Lapel Badge and Polo Shirts.
The items have been exquisitely modelled by your Secretary ( Now you know what I look like!)

Prices:
Association Ties:	£10.00 (£1.00 p+p)
Blazer Badge:	£12.00 (50p p+p)
Lapel Badge:	£2.00 (50p p+p)
Polo Shirts:	£10.00 (£2.50 p+p)   XL. L. M. S sizes available

May I respectfully inform members that you would be expected to wear Association/Battery ties at the reunion/dedication this year.

Please contact the Secretary if you require any of the above items and all cheques made payable to:

‘21 Gibraltar Battery Association’.

THE BATTERY SHOP

The BK, Capt. John  has a cupboard full of ‘goodies’, such as the new Battery tie( maroon/Diamond and Wings Logo), Sweat shirts, Running tops, T-shirts, plaques etc. At the time of going to press we did not have any pictures of these items but details will be displayed on the new Association/Battery web site. If you are interested in any of the above then please contact Steve Buck (he will liase with the BK and arrange postage etc)
21 Battery Association  Reunion web site www.21bty.org.uk

2006 Reunion Report

The 9th AGM and reunion was held over the weekend of 20th – 22nd October at the Ardsley House Hotel in Barnsley.
Members and partners started to arrive earlier than usual and by 5 pm on the Friday afternoon the lounge bar was full of ‘I remember when’s, Hello, you fat “person”(or words to that effect) and ”is that really your own hair”?!!! Comradeship, it’s wonderful!
Friday evening saw 50 members, and a borrowed one from 33Bty, enjoy the usual quiz, which raised £38.00 - £18.00 going to the winning team, lead by Phil Stringer and I think very ably assisted by his son and daughter-in-law and of course Bobby!! Second place went to Yorkie Moore, everyone must have helped him!!!!!!
We had some new members join us for the first time, John Compton, Terry Dale, Colin Smedley, Messer’s Clayton and Sidwell, Steve Bell. We were pleased to welcome Mr Hall and Mr Dove and their partners.
Saturday morning and the AGM. Unfortunately the vice-chair Ray MacLean was unable to attend so the Secretary chaired the meeting. The usual matters were discussed including the 10th Reunion. (There is a separate report on that.) Our funds were in a healthy state and no welfare cases had been reported. The purchase of an Association Standard was discussed and it was agreed we should purchase one. About £200 had been raised in donations from members, another £200 was raised at the AGM and it was agreed that the raffle proceeds would also be donated to the cost of the standard, plus ceremonial equipment.
Our Charter states that the elected Offices serve a term of three years. We had to elect another committee for the next 3 years. Ray MacLean informed the Secretary prior to the AGM that he would not stand for re-election. A vote of thanks was given to Ray for his efforts for the Association.
The new committee: Chairman –Serving BC, Vice –Chair Chris Ricketts, Secretary Chris Morgan, Treasurer Steve Buck, Committee Tony Hanson and Paul Goldborough.
After the AGM a trip had been organised to visit the National Coal Mine Museum and the ladies (and some men, one who is nearly 50!!) went shopping in Barnsley. Others chose to keep an eye on the bar staff!
The Reunion Function went very well indeed. 65 members enjoyed the cabaret and disco. Plenty of dancing, but for some it was more like doing a BFT!!  The raffle raised £200 and a very generous donation from a member made sure we had enough money for the standard. Wink Watson was speaking about his niece who was doing a sponsored walk for another niece who has cerebral palsy, the generosity of the members raised £270 in sponsorship. Amazing! Anne and Wink were very grateful indeed.         The disco finished and it was great reluctance that former BSM Steve Bell lead the community signing, also setting a fine example of demonstrating some rather unusual move to the ‘Music Man’ and ‘Father Abraham’. ‘ Climbing Sunshine Mountain was also interesting!! Thanks Steve, as always leading from the front!!! Surprising how quickly you can remember those songs!! It’s also surprising how quickly you can make a fool of yourselves!! Some members went for a nightcap while others, chose to wear their nightcaps and went to bed.
Sunday morning arrived all to soon, and a more sedate bunch sat in the hotel lounge, some taking more time that usual over breakfast.   With bags packed and bills paid Good-byes were said and promises to sign up a new member each for next year, we went our various ways.          
The weekend was a great success; nearly £1000 was raised for charity and a new Standard, remarkable! I must thank Tony and Cheryl Hanson for organising the whole weekend, Heather Dickinson for organising the Quiz, both Heather and Cheryl for getting us to part with our money for the raffle and to Pete Giles who collected for the sponsorship. Our thanks to you all!

Those of you who didn’t attend missed a fantastic weekend!
Make sure you're there next year!

And just for the record IT IS MY OWN HAIR – (how many people do you know with GREY wigs!)  

Hope your still Smiling when 50,Mick!!!   Airborne landing techniques demonstrated during the ‘Music Man’

 

Gibraltar 2007

The reunion this year will be taking place on Gibraltar
from 28th September to 1st October 2007
to include the Dedication of the new Association Standard.

The programme for the Reunion weekend has been   arranged with the very kind support of His Excellency, General   Sir Robert Fulton KBE, Governor and also the Government of Gibraltar.   I must give special thanks to Mr Albert Poggio, OBE, and the   Gibraltar Government’s Representative here in the UK.

Friday 28th September	19.30 -Meet in the Veterans Club
Saturday 29th September.	12.00-The Association will be invited guests at the Ceremony of the Keys followed by a lunch hosted by the Gibraltar Government Representative Mr Poggio, OBE at the Veterans Club
Saturday 29th September	15.00 Official Tour of the Rock of Gibraltar compliments of the Gibraltar Government
Saturday 29th September	19.30 – Association Reunion Function – Officers Club (TBC)    (If the Officers Club is not available the function will be held at the Elliot Hotel)
Sunday 30th September	10.30 – The Dedication of the Association Standard at the Kings Chapel, in the presence of His Excellency The Governor of Gibraltar. Afterwards His Excellency has kindly offered to host a reception for the Association and guests.
Sunday 30th September	14.00 onwards time to relax!
Monday 1st October	AM. Visit to the tunnels of the Rock – TBC

The Cost of the Reunion Function on the Saturday Evening will be £20.00(UK) per person.
The Battery Commander, Major Simon Thomas and members of the battery will be attending the Reunion.

Knowing the very high dress standards always shown by members, may I respectfully ask that Battery/Association/Regimental ties be worn at the Dedication Service. 
Medals may be worn.

 

 

Chris Morgan          01748 830645            chrismorgan222@hotmail.com