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25th Anniversary reunion for 40 Cdo

Rekindle old friendships, reunite with lost & found.
spike kelly
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25th Anniversary reunion for 40 Cdo

Post by spike kelly »

Today in Norton Manor we held the 20th anniversary memorial service for the death of Mne McAndrews. The unit paraded and the padre, Ron Martin, conducted a moving ceremony accompanied by the RM Band. The event was covered by HTV and was broadcast on the news. A small number of veterans attended and were well received by the unit. Their presence was much appreciated and lent poignancy to the day. Although 20 years is a considerable period, the 25th anniversary is perhaps a more significant date and I would like to hear from any member of the 40 Cdo family who would like to attend a unit reunion in 2007. At this stage it will be difficult to determine an exact date but I would hope that we can develop a database of veterans and their families who would wish to be informed of a future event. It may seem a long time off but if the event is to be a resounding success then time to plan will be essential. Yours in memory, Spike Kelly
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Post by Rogue Chef »

Spike,
Thanks for posting details about Mon 27th on this site. It was a tremendous to see some old faces, including yours! I regret that I didn't make it to the service, and didn't have time to speak to everyone I wanted to. Count me in for a wazza 25th. E-mail: 'stevieh2@hotmail.com'.
Steve Holden.
Chris Challis
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Reunion

Post by Chris Challis »

Spike, sounds like a great idea, please count me in. Drop me a line and let me know what details you need.
truelove1038
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25 Anniversay 40 Cdo RM.

Post by truelove1038 »

Count me in. See U there in 2007. I'II pass it on to John Marshall. What about posting it on C Coy reunion site!
johno
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Re-unions.

Post by johno »

Count me in, ex 9 troop C Company :evil: you might be able to round up some of the others. E-Mail, ian.johnson217@ntlworld.com. Cheers, goodluck.
Don't worry, they can't hit us from ther.......
Chris B
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Post by Chris B »

Excellant idea. Count me in, I think I can speak for Mike Russell as well. Shame that May 27 wasn't better publicised. I couldn't have made it myself but know a couple of old (?) guys that would have. Look forward to seeing you reprebates in 2007. :wink:
PW4U
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Post by PW4U »

Count me in Spike.
Send the details

Cheers
Andy Niblo
Andy Niblo
Charlie
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Post by Charlie »

Spike

A brillians idea. Left 40 after the Ballykelly tour, would love to come along.

Happy to lend a hand in some way
I've got to do everything once - before it's too late
Pete Butcher
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40 Cdo Reunion 25 years

Post by Pete Butcher »

Count me in guys please.
Old bugger from 40 Cdo, Falklands, NI etc.
I remember Mack as we helped carry him to the first aid post in the farm house. Sad days then.

Regards to anone that knows me

Pete Butcher (sigs) (recce) (b coy) etc.

8)
reg pearce
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Mac McAndrews

Post by reg pearce »

I was sorry not to be able to attend the memorial for Mac - I only became aware of it today when I read the Reunion page

Mac was the Equipment Repairer (Coachtrimmer) for 40 Cdo from about 1979 until his death following injuries received during an Argentine airstrike on Blue Beach, San Carlos. Mac was manning the QM Troop GPMG and was part of the QM's protection party. The QM at the time was Captain Geoff Whiteley and I was the RQMS.

Mac's body was repatriated to the UK and a military funeral held in Manchester - a local branch of one of the ex-services organisations arranged a gun carriage and planned the route the courtege would take from the church to the crematarium. Now, Mac like a drink or three, and someone thought it would be a great idea if the hearse stopped outside each of Mac's favourite watering holes. The locals then trooped out and drank a toast to Mac on the pavement before the procession moved off to the next pub and the whole routine was repeated. This took some time and the whole funeral party, Mac's family, CO's staff car, etc followed meekly behind. The route also took in Mac's old school and all the kids lined the pavement outside as the hearse went by. I can only imagine what Mac's comments would have been!

On the way to the crematorium, we had to go along a short stretch of motorway and police outriders closed off one carriageway and provided an escort - Mac would have highly amused at being escorted by the police as opposed to perhaps trying to avoid them.

Mac never believed in spending KUA on anything as mundane as kit - he much preferred to borrow what he needed whenever he needed it. It came as no surprise to anyone to discover that Mac did not possess a peaked cap or even a white belt - these had to be borrowed and then nailed on top of the coffin to prevent them falling off during the journey from the church. Both pieces of kit were last seen vanishing through the hatch in the crematorium much to the horrow of their owner!!

As regards the re-union in 2007 - please count me in, I would welcome any details as and when they are available

I count myself fortunate to have had 2 tours in 40 Cdo (Far East and UK) and can readily attest to the uniqueness of the unit which I am certain the present wearers of the light blue lanyard are maintaining.

May God speed you in all that you are called upon to do.


Reg Pearce
ex-RQMS
Allan Buckley
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Post by Allan Buckley »

How about reunions for 40 cdo cyprus 56/57 including suez or even 62/63 malta sigapore borneo :roll:
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Paul Dawson
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Post by Paul Dawson »

Would love to attend the 25th. Please keep posting info on the event.

Was with Mac at San Carlos and lined the drive to the church for his funeral. Sorry to miss the 20th.

Aye

Paul
It's hard to soar with the eagles, when you now work with turkeys.
Fred Thompson
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40 Cdo RM

Post by Fred Thompson »

Hi Spike

I served in 40 in Cyprus in 1957, stationed in Platres. Although beginning to get a bit long in the tooth, and assuming that I shall still be around, please count me in for the reunion in 2007. Cheers.
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Noddy Dunne
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Post by Noddy Dunne »

I joined at RM Depot Deal on Nov 9th 1976, in 227 Jnr Troop. Mac McAndrews and Bob Griffin were also in the same Troop.

Mac was killed less than 25m away from me - it was an unreal sight to see the bomb falling from the plane less than 300 feet up, and seemed to fall so slowly.

Bob Griffin was killed on LC5(?) when it was sunk.

I seem to remember that there were only about 7 members of 227 troop left in the Corps at the time - I doubt if any other troop lost so many members (statisticaly speaking).

I was in 40's Anti-tank troop, and we left to support 45 Cdo shortly after Mac was killed, after all their kit was blown up in another air strike.

I too would like to be included in the 25th anniversary re-union - the last one I attended was the 10 year annversary, I didn't know about the 20th do.

Email jim dot dunne at ntlworld dot com (Format to stop spam trawlers - you know how to write it properly)

Yours Aye,
Noddy
If it aint broke, fix it 'till it is!!

Jim Dunne, Poole, Dorset
Bing Crosbie
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40 Cdo Re-unions

Post by Bing Crosbie »

Hi!
Since I left the Corps in 1970 I have attended re-unions for 45 Cdo. and 42 Cdo. But never had the pleasure of attending one of 40 Cdo's this is the first time I have ever seen a reference to one, in spite of reading the "Globe and Buster" on a regular basis. May I suggest Blackpool as the ideal place to hold it. I think I can wait until 2007, But I was in 40 Cdo as a 17 year old in 1947, my first unit. So I am clogging on a bit now, but I know a couple more old timers who would probably also like the idea.... Tara-a-bit........Tom Crosbie..
Tom (Bing) Crosbie,
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