Once
again the Adelaide reunion has been and gone. Why are the years so short
now. Glenelg, South Australia was again the venue for the gathering
of ex RMBs and we had a great weekend. It did seem to pass so quickly
but for those of us who were there it was great to catch up again. Those
present were:
Tony Oberdries from NZ, Mike Thompson (known to his bugler mates as
TOMMO II) John Meir, Ray (Taff) Taylor, Ralph Payne who retired from
RMB in 1954, Ginge Chamberlain, who had managed to keep his rams away
from his 5000 sheep, I kid you not, Barrie Baker, Pat Trevis, Bob Chumley,
and of course the one and only Capt Tom Lambert who although very tired
was able to join us for the official lunch on the Saturday. Also joining
us for the first time was Kevin Hillier Ex RAN Band,who did his training
at the RMSM in Deal and is therefore one of us.
Apologies were received from several of our stalwarts, Bill Mathews,
Jim Mason, and Maxie Beare among them.
When I am able I will send a Photo, but must confess that I don't know
how to do that so will await my better half to arrive home.
Click images for full view
Our weekend started with the usual meet and greet on Friday 30th which
was once again held in the Dining room of our motel with food to feed
an army. Of course the bar open was also open.
Saturday 31st after photos we were Piped aboard the replica of HMS Buffalo
by Cadets of the RAN and enjoyed a wonderfull lunch. The toast to Absent
Friends was proposed by Tom Lambert. He unfortunately had to leave shortly
after because he was so tired. He has gone through a bad stretch recently
having lost his dear wife on Boxing Day and now in a full care facility.
But as he said,"he made it". After the Loyal Toast a letter
received from the PDM was read to the silent assembly, with a cheer
on hearing the last few words which indicated that PDM would at some
time attend our reunion.
Tom then indicated that he would have to leave and on doing so received
three rousing cheers which he thanked us all for and wished us all well.
So much more I could tell but the weekend was over after the Sunday
BBQ and the reading of Paddy's Poem and Jan and I had to dash off back
to Bendigo so that she would then be able to attend a family funeral.
Adelaide now awaits we ex RMBs to arrive in 2013 for the next reunion
of ex RMBs. I hate to stress the point but for those who have not yet
attended, well you really don't know what you have missed. But just
so that you may be able to join us, well the first weekend in APRIL
2013 has been booked. So, see you there.
Eric Hayward (RMB/X3051)
