Hi - from new member Owen Walters

[Owen W]

Hi All,

Having been led by the nose (as happened to me through much of my career!) to find the Alphas Group, this is just a note to say 'Hi'. (BIG thanks for the help, 'CHOW').

My profile gives you a short run down on me, but I joined Alphas, 1 Platoon, Jan of '81; in time for the memorable '81 Tour! Stayed with 1 Platoon until immediately after we won Top Dog the ensuing year and then was moved, or dragged kicking and screaming, to Coy 2i/c. I was, therefor, with Alphas for the latter part of JCW and for Brian Plummer.

SO Many names and memories of those years, as we all have from our periods in the Company. I am fighting shy of putting any specific names down as I know I would forget someone who figured large in my time with Alphas from that era.......and from later......

I went of to serve in other places and organisations away from the RWF (and some within) but fought to return to the RWF and to Alphas to take the Company to Fermanagh in '94 and remained until through the so called 'battle of Lydd'!!!!

Served most of my career in the NI Int world and retired the very end of 2001, from the post of Chief G2 NI; where I was pleased to have the Regt represented in the shape of Matt Palmer RWF as one of my majors, great guy.

So, if Walters' name triggers memories (only the good ones, please!) feel free to say hi. I now live in NE Brazil and am enjoying dropping into the Forum a few times a week.

Cheers, Owen

[Glyn Hughes 17]

My Dear Owen,
I have fond memories of you Owen in Lemgo, for a sort time I was 2/ic of Alph Coy, before moving off to 160 Bde. Good to have in on board.
Glyn

[Owen W]

Glyn,

This is why I have enjoyed my first few weeks as a member of the Forum, 'meeting' mates from a while ago with whom we shall always have the bond of having been Royal Welchmen and trawling the photos which people have kindly uploaded.

Though out of the 'firm' now, I am still engaged in working to instruct/advise some US military groups and Federal Agencies on understanding and meeting the threats of terrorism and insurgency, so the RWF is still looking after me in way; or the experience gained therein and with some other folks.

I trust you are well, that life is treating you as it should and that you got your invitation to the wedding next week; please apologies to HM for me, pressing engagments here in Brasil meant I had to decline.

Owen

[Jenkins7236]

Hi Owen,
Yes I remember you well from your time in one Plt especially the run up to winning Top Dog, mind you I couldnt win a hot dog nowadays.
Also fond memories of JCW and Brian Plummer, by the way if you are in touch with the Gen, remind him that he still owes me a fiver for changing the alternator on his clapped out Alfa Romeo. (He can run but he cant hide).
Glad to see you are well and haven't relinquished your RWF roots.
Dave Jenkins

[Owen W]

Heyyyy,

Good to hear from you. I fear that I echo your glimpse of the reality of time ticking on and, for my part, even eating a hot dog is a struggle. The performance of everyone was amazing and success was achieved in spite of, rather than because of Walters; and I think I recall that Ozzy Lloyd 59, as our Pl Sgt, was away somewhere so Brian Kennedy had to take on the demands of the position. HATED being told, virtually minutes later, that I was being moved into the 2i/c's chair.

Brian. Yes, a part of him never grew up (which is great - we should all try for it) and he loved a few boys' toys and fun; I recall him trying to climb from inside the car we were in onto its roof as we drove to a restaurant through Lemgo. He wore rank on his shoulders but, in truth, most had the greatest respect for him because of who he was and not for what he wore.

I hope all is well with you; even if you can't catch a hot dog these days. These first few weeks in the Forum have brought a flood of memories, people and places. Damn, there were some top people in 1 Platoon and in Alphas.

Thanks for the note.

Owen