Operation Crown veterans and their partners await the call to lunch, in the bar of the WO's and Sgt's Mess at the RSME on Wednesday 02/04/2014 From left to right, Jackie and Bob Lavallin, Jim Hopgood, Freda Hamnett. Standing, John Lloyd and Noel Jackson. Sitting middle Gerry Crowe and Peter Coates, right facing camera, Alan Myers and side-on is Malcolm Shaw.

L/R Roger Andrews sitting on sofa arm, Carol Andrews, Marilyn Shields-Probett, George Smart, Jack Crompton, Bryan Shields-Probett, Mick Allen, Monica Potts and Chris Potts.

L/R Charlie Davies, Gerry Crowe, Peter Coates and Terry Evans. For a slideshow including more pictures of the guests, click on the image left. We were eventually called to the dining room to enjoy a delicious meal. Our guests were Brigadier David Southall CRE RSME, Col Piers Storie-Pugh Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten Association, Lt Col Charles Holman Secretary RSME and Lt Col Larry Inge with his wife Carrie, Secretary of the Officers Mess RSME.

After lunch and a short welcoming speech by Mike, Brig Southall and Col Piers Storie-Pugh treated us to two entertaining and highly humourous speeches. Considering their audience was in the main, long in the tooth and of an age that had experienced most of life's scenarios, they both found a freshness of oratory that had us in stitches.This group shot was taken in the courtyard of the WO's and Sgt's Mess after our lunch. Standing centre is Gordon King flanked by Mike Stanbridge on his right and Brig David Southall to his left.

It was considered a good idea for the veterans to be pictured together, in the units of which they served. The resulting images are featured in the slideshow. Lt Col Larry Inge holds the interest of his guests as he gives a tour around the Officers Mess at the RSME. The history of the Corps is recorded in the many important paintings hanging on the walls. Larry in his function as Mess Secretary, shared his detailed knowledge of that history with us. For more pictures of the tour, click on the picture to see the slideshow.

After the tour of the Officers Mess, members returned to the KC Hotel to participate in the OCA AGM 2014. Mike Stanbridge welcomed us and led us through a lengthy but interesting agenda. Amongst the items discussed were our exciting plans for future events.The minutes of the AGM can be viewed by members of OCA on the secure Members page of this website. If you wish to become a member of OCA, please contact our Membership Secretary on Nevillewareham@aol.com