Messages posted by: geoffmurray1

Hi, I don't have any details on Elizabeth Boardman, but we may be using her poem 'A Wife Remembers' during the service at the NMA on the 29th July. Vic or the Reverand George Parsons may have more details.
Kind regards
Geoff

Army Commando Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum

Background. The CVA was offered a plot of land within the NMA some time ago and it was considered that we place a memorial to the Commandos on this plot. The memorial would be to all Commandos, from 1940 to present day, whatever service or cap-badge, however there were a few things that we had to consider. Firstly and most important, we did not want it to distract from the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. Our annual pilgrimage to the Commando Memorial in Spean Bridge each year is a fantastic event, one which grows in numbers each year, one that can never be replaced, and hopefully one that will continue to be inscribed in the diaries of all Commandos and their families for generations to come. However we are also very aware of those more mature Commandos amongst us who cannot make the journey to the highlands of Scotland in winter. Secondly, due to the fact that our very good friends the Royal Marines were planning their own memorial in an adjacent plot, we decided that we should make it a memorial to the Army Commandos.

Plans. After much consideration we decided that a memorial to the Army Commandos, which will stand alongside the planned memorial to the Royal Marine Commandos, united by a mix of trees dedicated to both, would be a fitting idea. This will give them both their own individual memorial, but also join them together as they always have been. The memorial would also give those that cannot travel too great a distance an opportunity to continue reuniting with their comrades at least once a year, and also give us an opportunity to have a summer event. We subsequently agreed the plans at the CVA AGM in 2006, and submitted them to the NMA Trustees. Our plans have now been agreed (although we had to make a few changes to the plans for the surrounding area) and the memorial is in the process of being built by Anwick Forge, to be installed by early June.

Unveiling and Dedication Ceremonies ? Sunday 29 July 2007. We are now into the hectic planning stage of having an unveiling and dedication ceremony on Sunday 29 July 2007. This will be a family event consisting of the morning ceremonies (I have this week received confirmation from xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx that although my request was a little late in arriving, our memorial will be unveiled by a senior member of the xxxxx xxxxxx, which is fantastic news!); we will then follow up with a garden party either within the grounds of the Arboretum, or within the grounds of a large local hotel. The day will include tea/coffee and biscuits in the morning with sandwiches and refreshments on the afternoon; I will endeavour to have some form of entertainment also.

Tickets. Due to both the limited capacity at the NMA and also the sensitivity of our important guest, the day will have to be a ticket only affair; as a CVA member you will have priority for attendance. You are now cordially invited to order your tickets for your opportunity to be a part of this most auspicious occasion within the history of the Commandos. I envisage the cost of the tickets to be approximately £20 for adults and £10 for children (under 16s). The price of the ticket will cover the costs of the NMA hire-charges, invitations, correspondence, marquee, food, seating, PA system, etc, etc. In the unlikely event of any funds being surplus, these will go towards the Memorial fund.

Tickets can now be ordered from the Secretary, detailing FULL names and addresses of those wishing to attend. Members will be notified at a later date of arrangements for payment etc. and tickets will be forwarded accordingly. An information pack including a program of events for the day will be forwarded with tickets.

(Please note that CVA members can order as many tickets as they wish, however if the response is overwhelming, it may be necessary to reconsider this and place a limit on tickets, that limit being 2 per member. It is reiterated that CVA members will have priority.)

Summary. It is very exciting to see how far we have come as an Association in such a small space of time, and the support of each and every member is very much appreciated. This event will hopefully attest to how important the CVA is to the Commando Fraternity and how much we can achieve with that good old Commando Spirit. It would be really great to see you and your families in July.

Welcome to the site Bob, we will hopefully be giving it a make-over soon. Lots more info and more pleasing to the eye. Hopefully you will consider joining the CVA, we have a number of 2 Cdo members, Veterans and Associate.
Kind regards
Geoff

Dear Bob, your father served with No 6 Commando from at least 1943 to 1945. If you visit www6commando.com and contact the site manager he may be able to give you more info. Once we have the site up and running we will have a lot more info at hand, however this does take time. Have you considered visiting the National Archives at Kew to look up Roberts records? Worth a shout. Good luck

Geoff

Great News!!!! The plans/proposals for our Army Commando memorial at the NMA have now been approved :D There were a couple of caveats in that the hedge had to go and the paved area made more discreet (in line with the open-plan of the area) but we have agreed and now have the green light. The memorial piece itself is now in production at Anwick Forge and I will receive an update soon as to how work is going. We are still working on an unveiling and dedication service on Sunday 29 July. It is hoped that this will be preceded by a dinner on the Saturday evening in the local area, all to be confirmed. We still need to raise approx. £5,000, so please get busy and do what you can - every little bit counts! Kind regards.
ps. Also the Royal Marines Memorial (which will be sited very close by with a mix of Army Cdo and RM Cdo trees between the two) was also agreed on the same day.

Visit to Maasbracht, HOLLAND. To celebrate the unveiling and re-dedication of the plaque for Henry Eric Harden VC (45 Cdo RM). For further details contact either:
Johnny White 01702548871 or
Stan Scott 02085581914

CHOCOLATE BOX DECORATIONS: Soldier Mag ran a very interesting article in Feb 07 with regard to the growing anger over wearing of 'souvenir medals' on Vets' parades. One such medal is the 'Combined Operations Cross'. To 'qualify' you must have taken part in a form of "inter-Service cooperation in peacetime or active service". These are an opportunists ware (currently for sale at £40 a shot with miniatures at £20) that depict a Commando fighting knife, clearly aimed at giving it respectability. If purchased they should be kept as a 'commemorative medal' or 'souvenir'. They must not be worn in such a way as to be confused in the public eye with officially-issued campaign and service medals. The Central Chancery ruling is that such medals should not be worn at all. Although these medals have been around for many years, it is the wearing of them that has recently become a problem. Basically, if it ain't an official operation medal then it is 'Bling'.

Hi BlueFrog, This event is at 1345hrs on 31 Jan 07. Vic Ralph will be going down with hopefully a group from the London Branch of the CVA. Details will be listed in the next Newsletter out in a couple of weeks or give me a bell. Cheers