HAPPY NEW YEAR!
President’s Address
Once again our Branch has had a very full year and I must thank the committee and the event specific organisers for all their hard work to make these events so successful. There has been the annual outing to the Mountbatten Festival of Music, the Dartmoor Yomp, organised by Keith Anderson, the Rosedale Family garden party and finally but not least the Service of Remembrance at the Higher Cemetery with all it’s attendant problems successfully overcome by Jumper and Pauline.
We had a glorious day as guests of our Vice President—Lady Anne Wilkins at her home in Somerset where the sun shone on her efforts. These events do not just happen but require a considerable amount of effort and time and to these organisers I offer my sincere thanks.
The Branch turned out in large numbers as fund collectors when 3 Cdo Bde marched through the City of Exeter on their return from their tour in Afghanistan and managed to raise £2.500 from the watching public for the Corps and regimental funds. I thank all those involved. I would also once again like to thank all those taking part in the mentoring process. This hugely beneficial process for both recruits and their mentors is watched with envy by the Army and the Royal Navy. It takes time and dedication by our mentors but is very
effective.
And finally we also had the largest RMA weekend ever seen at Lympstone for the opening of the Memorial Wall in front of 250 family members of those whose names feature on the wall. Our shooting team—entered for the first time in years, came a creditable third; and we were entertained on the Saturday evening by the RMA’s Concert band—a truly memorable performance that was given a standing ovation as well as the RMA - there were over 1000 on parade from both the regular Corps as well as the RMA - an event that really gave meaning to the phrase ‘The Corps Family’.
Looking to the future it is nice to see some younger members joining the Branch and getting involved in our activities but it seems to be an interesting fact that our numbers remain constant at around 100. We need to do more to recruit to our branch. We also need to look at fund raining activities. Currently the military has tremendous public support and we need to take advantage of that support to increase the Corps funds to be better able to support ourselves in the future when the military might not find favour with the public.
I wish you all a prosperous and Happy New Year.

Peter Babbington
President.

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Annual General Meeting
The AGM for the Exeter Branch RMA will be held on Thursday 8 April 2010 at 2000 hrs. Items for the agenda are to be submitted to the Secretary by Thursday 12 March. The agenda will include any proposed alterations or amendments to the branch rules, the election of officers and committee members for the year 2009/10 and the presentation of accounts for the last financial year. A copy of the agenda will be displayed in the Club 14 days prior to the meeting. Members are reminded that a copy of the Association and Branch rules are available from the secretary. If you are interested in the running of the branch or just willing to help out then please contact the secretary.
The mentors (and prospective mentors) who have not yet got a car pass for CTCRM should pass your vehicle details to Jumper so it can be organised.

The majority of the current mentors, both Exeter and Exmouth RMA joined the training teams for an end of term get together at CTCRM. The OC CTW, Col Mike Tanner opened the meeting thanking the mentors for their hard work and continued support and association with the recruits and their training teams. He gave a brief overview of the possible future to the Corps and the expectations of the future commitments to the deployment scenario. CTCRM has just experienced a major review of its training syllabus and will include for the future many of the lessons learned during operations.
He also congratulated everyone for the successful report from an independent commission that awarded CTCRM; as the greatest military academy in Great
Britain. The success rate of recruits passing for duty had increased from 52% to 63%. Training teams and the mentors played no small part in this great report.
He spoke in depth on the effort to maintain stability of the training teams by retaining numbers the whole 32 weeks. Hunter Company, under Major Jim Bonney is going from strength to strength and is tackling both physical and mental problems.
Before retiring to the Sgts’ Mess for a whet and a meal he paid one last tribute to the mentoring scheme and to you who have so far taken part. The scheme is now the envy of the other Military training establishments of other arms. Well done.
Mentors From your Branch QM; the RMA badges you wanted for your troops should be ordered via from Jumper who will go direct to the Gold Wire Badge Coy. One weeks notice please.

Did you know that the Royal Corps of Signals once experimentally crossed a carrier pigeon with a woodpecker. Apparently, they wanted a bird that would knock on the door before delivering the message!

With Regret
It was with sadness and so soon after the Christmas celebrations we learnt that Gerry Riglar (RM 14004 served 1954—61) passed away in RD & E Hospital on Sunday 27 December 2009. Gerry underwent major heart surgery early last year but, with only one kidney, he fought a long battle which he sadly did not win.
Gerry was a past Chairman of the Exeter Branch RMA and also a past Chairman and Life Vice President of the Exeter White Ensign Club. Both organisations owed much to Gerry for his hard work and unstinting use of his time, which made the Clubs the success they are today. Many will remember the Branch trips to Canada and to Guernsey during his time as our Chairman.
His funeral was held on Thursday 7 January at the Exeter Crematorium. It was a private funeral at which our Chairman represented the Branch. Gerry’s ashes are to be interned at his family home town of Cerne Abbas.

We also heard of the death of Mary Woolley on 2 November 09. Mary was the widow of the former WO2, Peter ‘Monty’ Woolley. The funeral on 12 November, at the Exeter Crematorium, was attended by those branch members who had served with Monty. A letter of thanks from the family was received.

Under the Weather
Peter Thompson is in hospital having an Op, Trev Bates and Dennis Mortimer are due to go in.
Chris Garlick was recently rushed into hospital after a stroke.
On the sick parade are Les and Betty Wakeling, Pam Braund, Fred Drury, Jack Bowyer, Bill and Doreen Barker, Spike Kelly, Peter Hayter,
Doreen Hayter is in the RD & E and the Rev Andrew Rowe.
All the best for a speedy recovery.

Thanks to Ron Crabb who, as our Welfare Rep, does a grand job keeping up to date with our members who join the sick parade and also to Rosemary Chetwyn who organises coffee mornings and maintains contact with our widows.
You can help by notifying Ron of any member, former Royal or a dependant that needs help or a visit. You could even speak to Ron and help out by doing a visit. Ron is contactable on 01392 660658, or SSAFFA on 01392 254611.

Did you hear about the ‘Bootie’ who got a ‘Dear John’,whilst serving ‘far-flung’, breaking off his engagement.
She demanded that he send her photo back!  He collected all of the unwanted phot’s from his oppo’ in the unit and sent them back to her with a note saying, ‘Sorry, cant remember which one you were. Please keep yours and send the others back.’!!!

The Last of Last Year
The Remembrance Weekend was a lot of hard work for the few who we can thank now for their efforts. John Turner, Dickie Armstrong, Terry Cocks and Ray Turley for their time assisting the RBL with their annual poppy appeal. George Martin for arranging the County Service of Remembrance at the City Cathedral. To Ben Chetwyn for parading the Branch Standard at the RBL festival in the Great Hall, Exeter University, escorted by Ron Crabb and John Turner.
The poppy appeal street collectors from the branch spent a couple of hours on the Saturday and raised a handsome £1,651.23. Well done John Turner, Jumper Collings, Jock McKeeman, Tim Bourne, John Allen, Trevor Bartlett, Ben Chetwyn and Keith Worley (Kings Regt). Uncle ‘Tom’ was on holiday! Well done guys.
Ben Chetwyn also paraded the Branch Standard at the City memorial and Jumper Collings laid the Branch
Poppy wreath. At CTCRM we again attended with members and Peter Thompson placed the Branch wreath at the Memorial Wall and Dennis Williamson placed a wreath at the Commando Memorial.
The Branch also organised the Service of reconciliation at Higher Cemetery on Armistice Day. The guest for this event were Sir John Cave BT JP, the Vice Lord Lt of Devon, Cllr Winterbottom—Lord Mayor of Exeter and Maj John Weir RM representing CTCRM. Reps from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Polish Community were also in attendance. The children of Ladysmith Junior School laid poppy crosses on the 200+ war graves. A big thank you to the young musicians of St Peters Church of England School who provided the music after the Volunteer Band had to cancel.  On completion there was a reunion at the White Ensign Club where we ‘Spliced the Mainbrace’.  Framed certificates were presented to both schools for their assistance at this event.

The Branch Christmas Dance and Draw. An excellent evening organised by Mike and Elaine Phillips and a
super effort on the Draw by John Allen, Jon Freer and Fraser Parkinson. The buffet was overflowing, thanks ladies for your efforts.   It was a great evening marred only by one very sad event! Amongst us that evening was a wannabe ‘Biggles’ who on hearing that one of the prizes was a visit to a remake of a full scale ‘Spitfire’, convinced himself that it was his prize for the taking. Shame that the person sitting next to ‘Biggles’ won the coveted prize. No names of course to save further regret but well done Mr Pres and try a rowing boat Mr Chair!!   Al Layland donated £250 and a bottle of Port to the Branch out of his drivers tips from recruits on the Normandy trips.
18 of our ladies gathered at the ‘Harvester’ for their Christmas lunch organised by Jennie Anderson. Rosemary Chetwyn arranged a Christmas lunch for our widows at ‘Georges Meeting House’, and finally 30 members gathered at the Devon Motel for a Christmas lunch on 20 December. Thanks to Mike for that one.

War does not determine who is right; war determines who is left.

Good to hear that Tim Bourne got his fathers medals back after the Police recovered them. Tim got a lot of press coverage when he paraded with a small note pinned to his chest saying ‘medals stolen’.
Chris Lambert celebrated his second anniversary of his 40th birthday in November 09 and Robbie Torence will be 96 years young in February 2010.

Kings Squad Pass-out
As you may know, one of our Branch members, Taff Jones, is the Mayor of Torfaen and in that capacity he will be viewing the Pass-out of the Kings Squad, 112 Troop on Friday 22 Jan 10. The parade commences at 1145 hrs and it would be nice to see you if you are free to support.

Car Boot Sale
The Branch has been given the Sunday 30 May 10 to assist at this money making event for the Branch. The ‘Red-eye’ shift starts at 0600 and ends around 1300 hrs. If you can support with your presence please give your name to Ray Turley.

Day Trip
We shall be chugging of to the Swindon Railway Museum on Monday 1 Feb 10. The coach departs from the White Ensign Club at 0900 with a further pick up at Sowton Park & Ride. We expect to get back to Exeter at around 1800 hrs. Mike Phillips is the man to see to join the trip. The cost is £5 per person (you cant get weighed on a station for less than that!).

Miscellaniousnessnesses
Message from Central Office, ‘cant thank you enough for all your hard work promoting the RMA over the Year with Mentoring, fund raising and support to so many

RMA events. We wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope your Christmas Dance and Draw is an outrageous success….Once a Marine…..as ever, Charlie.

‘BIGGLES GROUNDED?’
After 23 years dedicated service in our Corps and a further 23 years with East Devon Council, our Chairman Jumper Collings has decided that enough is enough and will be taking early retirement on 18 Mar 10. The event is to be marked with a small get together in the White Ensign Club. Dress I can report is smart casual.

Officer; Come on lad, this wont do. You are meant to be firing at the target and none of your rounds are hitting it. Have you any idea where they are going?
Recruit; No, Sir. As far as I can tell they are leaving this end all right!!

Arrangements are in hand for members, widows, families and friends to join the congregation at St Albans Church, CTCRM for the annual Branch Family Service. This will be one Sunday in April so watch the diary/NB for confirmation.

E MAIL Any of you members out there changed or gained a new email address? If you have could you please inform Jumper (jumperrma@aol.com) or the Secretary. We can then keep our record up to date and you can get this Newsletter by electrickery.

Anybody know Paul Cochrane (RM 22146). Jumper met him and will gladly pass on contact details if he was one of your oppos.

Young Marine; ‘Sir, Sir, we’ve run out of ammunition!
Young Officer; ‘We mustn’t let the enemy know that, what ever you do, keep firing’.