4th Regiment RA

The site is finished as far as it goes, I now need input from members of 4th. Surely your not shy, you weren't when you were in and those that attend the Reunions are certainly not shy. You can send your info in any form ie Email, Snailmail, Floppy disc. My email address is below, Home address: 39 Old Park Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 9JG. .
This is the start of our website which I hope to develop over time with the help of any of the members who care to submit any written items or photos about the Reunion for publication on this site.

Method of submission can be by email or by snail mail, if photos are submitted by snail mail I will scan them and return them if you so wish, please enclose stamped addressed envelope for this purpose.

WEBMASTER - Geoff West Email:- usn@metronet.co.uk

NEW ADDITIONS

Here is a couple of photos sent in by Dave Gates of 97 Bty Hong Kong days

Thanks Dave.

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Geoff West,

My name is Roy Budgen and I've just had a brief look through this sight and I must admit, it’s had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I only spent just over two years with 4th regiment, but seeing some of the names on this sight took me back over thirty years to when I first joined up.

I went to Catterick in 1976 after attempting and failing the selection course at ‘29 Commando’s’ in Plymouth, and once there I did a tour of N.I. in Sam McComiskey’s section - three-two-bravo. After that we went to Aldershot and from there I went to the Royal School of Artillery in Larkhill, which took me to 1979 when my three year signing ended.

What brought me to this sight in the first place was that I have been writing a book for the last two-and-a-half years about my time in the army and I had been looking at the regimental history as part of my research. It was this what brought me to your site, and looking at the people I remember serving with made me want to investigate further.

Only being with the regiment for a short while probably means that many of the blokes I served with will not remember me, but I’d still like to go to the next re-union to see them.

Here is a list of some of those I remember: Jamie Forteath, BSM; Sam McComiskey, Bdr; George Spencer, Bdr; Bob Cairns, Bdr; Andy McGill (can’t remember, but he took me on my driving course); John Sinclair, L/Bdr; Stuart Eaton, (promoted to Sergeant but handed it back about two weeks later). Then the Gunners I remember are: Eaton, Crossley, Wardle, O’Neill, Garret, Tulip, Carson, Malcolm and Fleming.

I will leave it at this, but if anybody remembers me they can get in touch via my e-mail address which is: ia my e-mail address which is: roy.budgen@btinternet.com.

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Hi Geoff,

Just a bit info for your web site, me and the lads attended a reunion at the Roker Hotel Sunderland on Friday 29 August 08 which was held by the Regiment as they had come over for the week, they had a Freedom Parade through the City of Sunderland on Thursday 28 August 08, a reception evening with the Lord Mayor that night, and a reunion on the Friday night (photo included).

4th Regiment RA will be posted back to Topcliffe, all will be in station by November 08.

The Commanding Officer is very keen to host a reunion at Topcliffe once settled in, as well as the Sunderland visits.

There is also a 4th Reunion every year in the Companions club Sunderland about June time, Ken White now runs the club.

So there is 3 reunions people can take a pick from with the Walsal one.

Best Wishes

Ernie Dobson MBE

Left to right SNCO 4th, Ernie Dobson MBE, Ray Kibble, Geordie Reynolds

Commanding Officer 4th, Steve Sproston, Frank Dobson, Micky Backwood

Borneo Medal Info, go to Information Miscellaneous

Unlike the infantry regiments of the line, the Artillery has no Regimental Colours - its colours are the guns themselves.

Nor does the Artillery have battle honours - its single battle honour is the word UBIQUE (EVERYWHERE)

UBIQUE, = Everywhere

QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT = Where Right and Glory Lead

HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE

Evil to him who evil thinks

Added to bottom of this page: List of persons attending Re-union

Hi Geoff

Can you put onto the web page the sad loss off Johnny Lockwood who died from a Heart attack during March?

Johnny had not been ill and was active right up to the minute he died.

Eddie Cryer

Hi, I was wondering if any of your members might remember the German NAAFI lady called 'Biggi?' Biggi worked in the camp NAAFI, Dennis Barracks and Cookhouse from 1963-69ish. Maybe someone remembers her? Or has some photos. Thanks Regards Alan Ex REME If you have any info please contact Alan at telelephone No 01553-841406

The costs of this site are not taken from the Reunion funds, it is funded by other means.

The site is really an experiment to find out if others are interested in this means of communication and in taking part in its development by submitting photos or articles. So if you have reached this site please pass on the URL to any other members.

The 22st Re-union of 4th Regiment Royal Artillery took place at the County Hotel Walsall on Saturday 25th October 2008. Being well organised by Mick Avery and Pete Lazell.

The early birds arrived on Friday the 26th and met in the bar of The County in the evening to get the latest info, tell war stories and try to drink the bar dry.

Saturday saw the arrival of the remainder of those attending and this then made the number sitting down to dinner 84 in total.

I understand that some people may not have been able to afford to come. If this is the case then we may be able to help those who would like to attend but are having financial problems. Please contact Mick Avery in confidence for more details

Not all those attending are in the 50 to 75 age group as there are a number of members son's and daughter's along with some younger members are now getting the message that this is the place to be.

The evening started with the usual drinks at the bar and at 7.30pm we sat down to wine and dine.

Proceeds from the raffle are used to offset the costs of the administration ie. paper, envelopes, menu cards, name cards, flowers on the table etc and a big thankyou must go out to the donators and the organisers.

Why not visit the Illuminations and make a long weekend of your attendance to the Re-Union. See page for details of tickets and places to eat.

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The 23th Reunion will be on Saturday October ?? 2008 and will take place in Walsall West Midlands (just off Junction 9 M6)

Place - The County Hotel, Birmingham Road. Walsall, West Midlands WS1 2NG

Time - 7pm for 7.30pm sit down.

Cost - £NYK.00 per head

For the early arrivers after you have seen the lights, its the bar in the County for more war stories

Booking - Please all book early to give Mick a chance to get the organising done. ***For those that did not get a snail mail form send the following details to Mick at Jasmine Cottage, 20 Lower Street, Kingweston, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 6EB

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I (your name) Require (nos) Tickets @£?? per ticket Total £

My Guest is(name of Lady)

Please make cheques payable to 4th Regiment RA Reunion and enclose a SAE

Name of any other Guest (name)

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Organiser

Re-union organiser is Mick Avery. Tel 01458 223177 or 07725 462573

Jasmine Cottage, 20 Lower Street, Kingweston, Somerton, Somerset,

TA11 6BA

email: mick.m.avery@btopenworld .com who is helped by Pete Lazell Tel 01623 722594

Payment

The payment covers the cost of the dinner with wine for toasts and the music only. The other costs of rooms and other drinks are not included, and you will need to make your own booking arrangements.

Hotel Locations

The County Hotel, Birmingham road, Walsall. Tel 01922 632323.

This is where the Dinner and music take place and where those that arrive on the Friday gather to tell war stories on that evening.(Not compulsory).

The Boundary Hotel, Birmingham Road, Walsall. Tel 01922 633555.

This is about another 5 minutes further down the road from The County.

The Beverley Hotel, 58 Lichfield Road, Walsall. Tel 01922 622999 / 614967.

This Hotel is a bit further out and is a Taxi or drive job.

The Bestcot, Bestcot Road, Walsall. Tel 01922 622447.

This hotel is just off the motorway junction 9.

Bed and Breakfast

Abbey Manor Guest House, 66 Wednesbury Road, Walsall. Tel 01922 632765

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List of members and guests attending Reunion 2007

Titmus Dennis.
Pring Steve.
Pugh John, Linda Hutton
Rodgers Colin, Vicky
Flight Bill.
Scott Ian, Pauline
Baynes Ron
Partridge John, Eve
Vickers Richard, Janet Vickers
McCue John, Catherine
Cairns Bob.
Maxwell Reg.
Lucas Paul, Dawn
Avery Mick, Tania, Ste & Liz,Mark
Burden Fred, Anne
Macdonald Ken, Betty
Dugdale Mike.
McGill Andy.
Martin Paul, Claire
Cockerill Tony.
Spicer Martin.
Swetnam Phil.
Rankin John.
Dowling Brian, Alice
Dolphin John, Susan
Duffield Tony, Jan
Gary Johnson.
Gerry Deadman.
Kibble Ray.
West Geoff.
Lazell Pete, Sylvia
Sinclair John.
Fearns Edie, Karren
Mackenzie Mac.
Jewkes Arthur.

List of members and guests attending

Reunion Attendance 2006

29 McGill Andy

97 Sinclair John

29 Avery Mick           Tania Mark& Debbie, Ste &Liz

HQ Burden Fred         Annie Burden

97 Case Sam             Irene MacRae

Champs Steve

88 Darby Tony           Patricia

Davies Peter

29 Davin Tony           Gina

29 Dolphin John          Susan

Edwards Pat

97 Evans Raymond

97 Flynn John             Anne Flynn

97 Forteath Jamie

88 Hatton Anne

Johnson Brian             Gary Johnson      Gerry Deadman

Jones Steve

Kibble Ray

97 Lazell Pete Sylvia

88 Longhorn Ralph       Paulette Coulson

HQ Macdonald Ken       Betty

29 Maple Phil              Christine

88 Martin Paul             Claire

97 McBride Robert

88 McComiskey Sam      Molly

29 McCue John             Catherine McCue

29 McMahon May          Gillian Williamson       Andy Crouch

88 Owen Taff              Margaret

29 Partridge John          Eve

29 Pring Stephen           Jackie

Rodgers Colin                Vicky

Scott Ian

Stephen Bill                  Margaret

29 Swetnam Phil

Vickers Richard             Janet Vickers

97 West Geoff

29 Whatley John           Carole

29 Wilford Barry            Maureen

Fearns Ede                  Karen Fearns

Baynes Ron

Maxwell Reg

29 Reynolds George

Durward Mary

29 Dowling Brian           Alice

29 Lucas Paul              Dawn George

29 Richards Jim

Gemmell Ian

Bowering Roy Sandra

Stevens Hamish

29 Cockerill Tony           Loriane Samantha & Rob Davies

19 Re-union 2005

List of members and guests attending

29Bty Mick Avery & Tania

John Birch

97Bty Douglas Buchanan

97Bty Sam Case & Irene MacRae

29Bty Tony Cockerill & Lorriane         Guests Samantha & Rob

97Bty Tony Darby & Pat

29Bty John Dolphin & Susan

29Bty Brian Dowling & Alice

97Bty John Flynn & Anne

97Bty Jamie Forteath

Ray Kibble

29Bty Ian Gemmell

97Bty Anne Hatton

97Bty Dot Herity (Allard)

HQBty Tom Huntley & Sylvia      Guests Terry & Jane Stephenson, Dusty Miller

88Bty Steve Jones

97Bty Pete Lazell & Sylvia

88Bty Alex Livingstone & Lilian

29Bty Paul Lucas & Dawn George         Guests Gavin & Sheena

29Bty Phil Maple & Christine

97Bty Paul Martin & Claire

97Bty Reg Maxwell

97Bty Sam McComiskey & Molly

29Bty John McCue

29Bty May MaMahon & Gillian Williamon

29Bty John Partridge & Eve

29Bty Jim Richards

97Bty Colin Rodgers & Vicky

Ian Scott

29Bty Brian Shaw & Russell

97Bty Bill Stephen

29Bty Wilf Turner & Loretta Hughes

29Bty Sid Waite

97Bty Geoff West

29Bty Barry Wilford & Maureen

29Bty Phil Swetnam

29Bty George Reynolds & Hazel             Guests Andrew & Joanne Reynolds

97Bty Bill Hewitt

HQBty Derek Hagger

29Bty Eady Ferns