Veterans Parade 15 Sep 2024 -Families Weekend

We set off on a brisk and bright Sunday morning, our destination CTCRM, and the Veterans Parade. As we turned off the M5 at Exeter the conversation turned as normal towards command courses we had attended and the sense of apprehension that comes with it when approaching CTCRM.

As we walked the familiar route down past the old Corps Colonels Office (Now the RMA-TRMC office complex) we witnessed the RM Cadets being inspected by the CGRM. Making our way to what was the Naafi we grabbed a coffee and stopped to look over the bottom field with a gaggle of other RMA members with the same idea. Rod quickly engaged in conversation with a bunch of lumi-Lods in week 6. Stand easy over we made our way to the drill shed in the hope of meeting up with old muckers.

In some fashion, we marched onto the parade ground, followed by a nod troop and cadets. We halted and retired to face the officer's mess and waited for the inspecting officer. The CGRM took his time reviewing the front rank and on speaking to me he asked what branch did I belong, my answer was 'Your branch'.

7 standards were present, along with around 90 veterans on parade and 20 in the stands, notably missing were RMA Exmouth and Exeter. So, the talk in the drill shed was about what will the RMA-TRMC do to turn the tide and engage with its members and branches to ensure this important event survives. Disappointingly the bar started to run out of bear within minutes and we were informed that the Sgts Mess was off-limits to veterans.

We had a quick selfie with General Gwyn Jenkins, CB OBE (CGRM) who has agreed to be a RMA-PDB branch member...

So, we set about mingling and networking and the net result was some pull-ups and teardrop flags on loan. We were strangely looking for our ride back to Poole and it was only 15:30.

I thank all our members who attended, our President Sharky 1, John Meeds and John Seymour, who had attended the whole weekend, and the intrepid 4 who traveled down on Sunday, Rod, Nick, and John, and our driver Neil. Thanks Neil...

'PM PT'