Unveiling of CVA Memorial at the NMA - Sunday 29 July 2007

Unfortunately, I'm unable to attend the unveiling ceremony but I will be there in spirit.
I really wish I could be there to rub shoulders with, and chat to, some of these great warriors - maybe meet someone who remembers my father...

I hope the weather holds and you all have a great time.

Stephen D,
This last week has been very hectic and I didn't manage to get any information, about my father, in the post to you. Thanks anyway - perhaps you could just mention his name to any of 5 Cmdo?

[Michael (Mick) Vincent Collins, 1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Regiment, lived in Hounslow Middlesex)

Warmest regards to you all,
Nick

:D Hello Nic I have printed off some copies of your post,and any number 5`s that I meet either in the bar Saturday night or at the main event I will give them a copy,who knows what you will be able to find out....hope this will help you,take care, Denise xx

Ok Nic we will all do our best for you
keep looking at the weather We might be ok When I first looked at the 5-day weather it said Heavy Rain but now its down to Little rain. I just hope the showground isnt under water!
Its gonna be fantastic!

lushershouse wrote: :D Hello Nic I have printed off some copies of your post,and any number 5`s that I meet either in the bar Saturday night or at the main event I will give them a copy,who knows what you will be able to find out....hope this will help you,take care, Denise xx

Hi Denise,
Thanks for that message - very much appreciated.
BTW I realise that you have been getting a little frustrated at the lack of response from some of the posts but, as you are very aware, these quiet and unassuming warriors are very reticent about their heroic exploits during the War and don't like to talk much about some of the atrocicities they witnessed - that seems common to them all.
Sunday's unveiling will be a great opportunity to, gently, coax some great stories from them - I envy you your opportunity!
I've bumped my original post to the top - perhaps you could print the pictures?

ever grateful,
Nick xx

Stephen Donnison wrote:Ok Nic we will all do our best for you
keep looking at the weather We might be ok When I first looked at the 5-day weather it said Heavy Rain but now its down to Little rain. I just hope the showground isnt under water!
Its gonna be fantastic!

Thanks Stephen,
I don't suppose the weather really matters anyway - it'll be a fantastic day I'm sure.

Have a great time,

Nick

wow wow ... what a fantastic day got great pics. will post later . Geoff yr a star! You did an Awesome job. I was soo impressed with all you that I met Such great friendly lot A day to remember . Prince Phillip was a great mixer wasnt he . He made beeline for my sister and had a good chat with her
Nic, I met 2 No5 who didnt know my dad or yrs ,sorry
Im still hypo from it all!

Stephen Donnison wrote:wow wow ... what a fantastic day got great pics. will post later . Geoff yr a star! You did an Awesome job. I was soo impressed with all you that I met Such great friendly lot A day to remember . Prince Phillip was a great mixer wasnt he . He made beeline for my sister and had a good chat with her
Nic, I met 2 No5 who didnt know my dad or yrs ,sorry
Im still hypo from it all!

Stephen,

Well you certainly sound as if you had a great day - only sorry I missed it.

Shame you didn't meet anyone who knew our dads but never mind - thanks for trying anyway. :D
Can't wait to see the photos...

Stephen - so glad to hear things went so well today. We've been thinking of everyone all day. We will wait (patiently) for further reports and pictures !!

Best regards to all,

Bob & Janet

:D :D :D :D A superb weekend,meeting old and new friends.We had a great night in the bar Saturday night apart from being ripped off by the local cabbies

Pam Scott if you read this you are still Ruby`s hero,she`s not stopped talking about you!! Also Stan for singing Kaiser Chiefs to her!! we were all surprised with that!! Ruby(10) still has a lot to learn as we all do but her quote for the weekend was...if these men did`nt do what they did i would be speaking German,so there`s some philosophy from my 10 yr old.Iris and John,it was great to be with you again and look forward to seeing you at "the alex" in november.names could go on and on...so i look forward to seeing everyong again in november.Sunday was a fantastic day,could`nt have gone better,we`re proud to have been part of it and we know Gordie boy was there with us,if only in spirit!! Stephen D,i`ll see you and your brother in FW,lovely to meet you at last :D do i need peoples permission before i post their pictures,not sure where i stand on this?? i could go on and on and have probably waffled on too much but there you go !!Standing ovation for you Captain Murray,Patch and all involved,you did everyone proud

so i`ll finish now and let someone else have a turn!! take care xx denisexx

mr admin,can you get back to me in regards of whether i need to get permission before i put the pictures on-line,thanks xx

well these are some of the photos from the amazing weekend...we hope you enjoy them xx Denise and Nick and Ruby-Mae xx

Hello

It was a great day, to met veterans and families.
Congratulations to Geoff and all who gave their time for this wonderful event.
sincerely

stéph.

Wonderful pictures Steph. Too bad the one of the group has them all with their cap badges facing the other way.

Thanks for sharing them,

Janet & Bob

Hello Bob and Janet,
I'm sorry I've been awhile getting back to you. I see weve got several pics on the site already, it seems that most peoples pics are roughly the same as mine are. The Vid was not to successful I managed to get some of the march up to the memorial but after that I was stuck in the back of a tent unable to get anything of interest. If I can download it onto the site I will do so. You had a representative for N02 amonst the Vets attending, I think it may have been Eric Buckmaster, he was there and I had the chance to shake his hand again, a very nice person. you can actually see his wife seated in one of the photo's. I displayed my collection of the F/S daggers at the gathering following the unveiling, approx 30, along with the Kukris etc; it all proved to be quite an interest especially to the younger men. The bookings for FW are now all going in and I understand that Geoff Murray has block booked the Alex so you may need to check up on your booking, I think if you mention the CVA you'll be OK.
Please keep well both of you, its not long till November,
Regards Ron

Ron and Denise nice pic