Conductor’s Parchment Ceremony
&
Re-Union Celebrations 2010
10 - 11 June 2010.
By
David Southall.
(Conductor’s Branch, Vice Chairman)
The Royal Logistic Corps, “Conductor’s Parchment Ceremony” was held this year at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst on the 10th June 2010, by kind permission of The Commandant, Major General P Marriott CBE, and The Academy Sergeant Major, WO1(AcSM) R Martin.
Once again, the ceremony was not held at the “Central Headquarters Sergeants’ Mess”, RLC, Deepcut.
So then how did this years “Conductors” celebrations go-:
DAY 1 (10 June 2010) – “The Conductors Parchment Ceremony”
The day started with Serving Conductor’s, Retd Conductor’s and their Wives/Partners arriving that morning, (Some had arrived the night before), going to their respective accommodation.
This year however saw everyone in various accommodation venue’s, these were Officers & Sgts’ Messes at Deepcut, Sgts’ Mess RMA Sandhurst, and The “Travel Lodge” & “The Premier Inn” in Sandhurst.
Transport had been arranged to collect and bring everyone from Deepcut & Sandhurst to the venue for this years “Conductor’s Parchment Ceremony”. The ceremony was to be held in the “India Army Memorial Room” in “Old College, RMAS.
We all gathered in the “India Army Memorial Room”, and The first thing everyone noticed on arrival was that our Branch Chairman, “Mr David Patterson” whom the Branch had Dined Out and made presentations to, at last years Celebrations, was once again back in uniform and was now again WO1 (Cdr) David Patterson RLC. I was asked if David was now back in uniform, was he once again the Senior Conductor? Not knowing the answer, I told them, they should ask David.
Firstly there was a rehearsal for the New Conductor’s, who were about to receive their Parchments. This was then followed by a briefing to all those attending by the Senior Conductor, WO1 (Cdr) Lou Conibear MBE RLC.
At 1500hrs the VIP and Official Guests arrived and entered the room and the 2009 Parchment Ceremony began. The VIP presenting this years Parchments was, Major General P Marriott CBE, Commandant, RMAS. He was accompanied by Major General (Retd) MD Wood CBE, The Royal Logistic Corps Representative Colonel Commandant, and The Conductor’s Branch President, and Colonel P J McCall, The Regimental Colonel, The Royal Logistic Corps.
The Royal Logistic Corps, Corps Adjutant, Capt R Evans RLC, read out extracts about the history of the “Conductor’s Appointment”, this was then followed by the presentations of “The Conductor’s Parchments to the following Warrant officers Class One:-
WO1 (Cdr) L Ashley RLC. – Driver. – HQ Land Forces.
WO1 (Cdr) D Asquith RLC. – Chef. – 1(
WO1 (Cdr) D Chipperfield RLC. – Petroleum Operator. – HQ Land Forces.
WO1 (Cdr) R Hammond RLC. – Supply Controller. – HQ 3(
WO1 (Cdr) M Laverick RLC. – Ammunition Technician. – 11 EOD Regiment RLC.
WO1 (Cdr) J McBride RLC. – Chef. – Defence Equipment & Support Defence Food Services.
WO1 (Cdr) Z McLoughlin RLC. – Logistation. – HQ Land Forces.
L-R.
(Cdr’s L Ashley, D Asquith, D Chipperfield, R Hammond, M Laverick, J McBride, Z McLoughlin.)
After presenting the Parchments and flowers to those wives who had attended to see their husbands receive their Parchments, General Marriott spoke to all those present. He firstly congratulated the new Conductor’s on their Appointment, and informed everyone that he was well aware on how important the Conductor’s Appointment was. He then told the new Conductor’s that they were blessed to have wives that support them, he also thanked the current Serving & Retd Conductor’s and their wives and families for coming along and giving their support to this Ceremony. General Marriott then informed us that he would be unable to stay and talk to those present, as he had another engagement to attend. General Marriott, General Wood, Col McCall and Capt Evans, then spoke the new Conductor’s and their wives, while the remainder of those present gathered on the steps of “Old College” for a group photograph. After a final photograph of the Serving Conductor’s and the VIP & Guests, General Marriott departed, and it was back into the “India Army Memorial Room” for an afternoon buffet. General Wood & Col McCall mingled and talk to group of those present until 1700Hrs, where upon we all departed and returned to our various accommodations to get ready for that evenings “Conductor’s Branch Re-Union Dinner”
So the formal part of the 2010 Conductor’s Parchment Ceremony over and done with for another year. However it was not the end of the Celebrations.
DAY 1 – Part 2. – The Conductor’s Re-Union Dinner
Within an hour of arriving at our accommodation, we all had to change and be ready to get back on to the transport to take us back for the Re-Union Dinner. It was like we were back in uniform again: - “Get on the Bus” – “Get off the Bus”- Get on the Bus”.
This years Re-Union Dinner night was also held in the “India Army Memorial Room”. We all gathered in the foyer of “Old College” to await the arrival of the VIP Guest’s, who this year: - Major General M Poffley OBE Chief of Staff, HQ Land Forces. Major General (Retd) MD Wood CBE, The Conductor’s Branch President, and Colonel P J McCall, The Regimental Colonel, The Royal Logistic Corps.
On the arrival of the VIP Guest’s, we once again gathered on the steps of “Old College” for the Annual Re-Union Dinner Group photograph. We then received the 5min dinner call be fore we all went in the splendid setting of the “India Army Memorial Room” for this years Re-Union Dinner.
During the meal, the band played old Corps marches, it was noticed that when the old RAOC Corps march was played only “Dennis Bradley” & “Gordon Webster” stood up. Question! Maybe the other Ex RAOC Conductor’s had forgotten their “Old Corps March”. That said, it was also noticed that I was the only one to stand for the Ex RCT Corps March, maybe the new Conductor “Levi Ashley” had also forgotten his “Old Corps March”.
At the end of what can only be described as an First Class Meal, the Branch Chairman, WO1 (Cdr) David Patterson thanked the Staff for the meal and service, and he also thanked the Band for their music during the meal.
David welcomed our Guests for evening. He then thanked WO1 (Cdr’s) “Lou Connibear”, “Darren Garwood”, “Charlie McClure” and “Shaun Collins” for their efforts in making the Parchment Ceremony that afternoon a great success. David then congratulated the new Conductor’s on their Appointment and welcomed them all to the Association Branch and was sure they would become members. He then invited the Branch President to speak.
General Wood firstly congratulated the new Conductor’s on their Appointments and also thanked everyone for their support and in doing so, helped to make these occasions a great success.
David, then asked the Guest of Honour – General Poffley to speak.
General Poffley thanked the Branch for inviting him to attend, he also congratulated the new Conductor’s on their Appointments, and informed the Branch Members that he understood how important the Conductor’s appointment was, having been Commission in 1985 into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. After speaking, General Poffley was asked to present a Framed Conductor’s Parchment to: - Retd Conductor “Ron Foster”.
(“Ron Foster” receiving his Parchment from General Poffley)
After receiving his Parchment “Ron” was asked to speak, he thanked the Branch for this opportunity to receive his Parchment (at last), he explained how he had been told about Appointment, “He said, his CO sent for him to inform him about his Appointment, and that he required to get his new badge of rank, and then get back to work”.
(It was interesting to note that, General Poffley was born the year Ron Foster joined the Army, and General Poffley was Commissioned the year Ron left the Army). However while all this was happening, our other guest Col Peter McCall just sat there enjoying himself, in the knowledge on knowing that’s all he was required to do.
David Patterson then spoke for the last time to inform everyone of the timings for the next Day’s visits, and then it was off to the “Old College Bar” for a few more drinks and to reminisce of years gone by. At Midnight the bar closed, and so it was once again “Get on the Bus” to take us all home to our various accommodations, so there it was, Day 1 of the 2010 Conductor’s Celebrations over and done with for another year.
DAY 2 – 11 JUNE 2010. – THE VISITS.
After Breakfast at our various locations, we all had to gather once again in the foyer of “Old College”, between 1000 & 1030hrs. At 1030hrs David Pattison briefed everyone on the programme for that day, and then introduced our guide for the 1st visit of the day that being:-
A Tour of “Old College” RMAS.
(It must be noted that “Old College” is a working College, and some of the rooms were being used for lessons). The Tour started outside “Old College”, then it was into the Foyer, followed by the “India Army Memorial Room” and then into a few rooms within the College, (including the “Lord Room” which is dedicated after WO1 (AcSM) Jack Lord). At each Location/Rooms, our guide give a short talk. We were then allowed to wander round various other Rooms, with our guide being available to answer any question anyone may off had. This 1st visit ended at 1200hrs. At this point I would like to give a vote of thanks to our guide, “John Archibald”. John informed me that his father had served 22 years in The RAOC, but had never told him about the Conductor’s Appointment! Has the tour ended, we collected our “Haverbag’s” and it was once again, “Get on the Bus”, and off we set for our 2nd visit.
After travelling into Central London we finally arrived at the location of the 2nd visit:-
“The Houses of Parliament”
This visit was to be a tour of the “House of Lords”, however as you will read it did not turn out that way. After going through a Security check, Photograph taken, Passes Issued, Bags – Jackets/Coats scanned and searched, (it was like going through departures at an Airport), we all re-grouped in the “Great Hall of Westminster”. We were then split into 2 groups and then informed, “As neither of the houses were sitting, we are now going to be having a Full Tour of both Houses of Parliament”. The Tour lasted about 1½hrs, and I am sure everyone wanted to sit down on the benches in both of the houses; however we were informed that this was not allowed. A special vote of thanks must go to our 2 guide’s, “Roger King” & “Erika Pibworth” who both made this visit outstanding and something that those who attended, will remember for a very long time.
After the tour had ended we were then all invited to go for a drink in “The Lord’s Bar”. Everyone took this opportunity to sit outside on “The Lord’s Terrace”, in the seats reserved for “Lord’s” & “Peer’s”, and regally wave to passing touring boats on the River Thames. After everyone had been refreshed and had taken lots of photographs, we all left the Bar and gathered outside “The Houses of Parliament” for a final group photograph.
(Outside The Houses of Parliament @ the end of our visit)
At this point I must say a vote of thanks to the person who made this visit possible, and that is to “Mike Charlesworth”, Superintendant, Service Department, The House of Lords. Mike is a Retired Officer from the old RAOC days, however he also held the appointment of “Conductor”. After the group photograph it was once again time to “Get on the Bus”, this time to take us to “Wellington Barracks” the home of “The Irish Guards”, for our evening meal.
I must say, the less said about the meal the better, except it was cheap. I am sure by now that Cdr Darren Garwood will have spoken to those in charge about the standard of the meal. After the meal we relaxed in the armchairs in dining room to allow our meal to settle and for some to grab 40 winks, before it was that time again to “Get on the Bus”, to go to our final port of call of the day. This was to the “Crack Comedy Club”, which is part of the “Ram Jam Club”; this club was in Kingston on Thames, Surrey.
This gave the perfect entertainment to end a day of many visits. It also produced a new star to our branch. The star of this visit was one of our new Conductor’s “Martin Laverack”, who’s banter with 3 of the comedians on the stage was brilliant. (Well done Martin). However, all too soon it was gone 11:00pm (2300hrs), the show ended, the bar closed and so for the final time it was “Get on the Bus”, and for us all to be taken back to RMAS, to collect our transport back to our various accommodations. So just after “Midnight” we all said our goodbye’s to “Old” & “New” friends and colleague’s on the car park outside “Old College”, and the 2010 “Conductor’s Parchment Celebration” was all over for another year.
May I at this point, on your behalf, thank the Branch Committee for a First Class Re-Union Dinner and a cracking day of visit’s, and to “Lou Connibear” and all the other serving Conductor’s for organising the Parchment Ceremony. To you all :-
“THANK YOU”
Well! I hope you all enjoyed reading about the 2010 “Conductor’s Parchment Ceremony and Re-Union Celebration”. If you did not attend! I hope you will try and make it in 2011.
PRESS OFFICERS NOTICE. (Yes that’s me as well).
If anyone has any photograph’s of this years Ceremony, Dinner Night or Visit’s, and would like them on the Conductor’s Web Site, may I ask you to forward them directly to our Web Master:- “Mike Coyle”. “Thank You”.
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