Welsh Bde Depot Crickhowell - 10 May 63

[Gerrycc943]

48 years today, as a recruit RWF Lcpl, I was presented to HM the Queen as a best recruit when she officially opened the Welsh Brigade Depot Crickhowell 10th May 1963.

There was a photograph of me shaking hands with Her Majesty that appeared on the cover and inner pages of the Regtl Journal plus the local media, Western Mail etc.

Over the years, my copy of the journal has been mislaid.

If any of our forum researches can advise me with regard to obtaining any of the photographs, or a copy of the journal, you'd make a 69 year old very happy.

[jungle1810]

Hello Gerry,
If you can provide me with exact dates and which publication (South Wales Echo or Western Mail) that recorded this event, I can either go to Cardiff or the Bridgend reference library and have a photo printed from the micro fiche records. I may have to go to Cardiff. The reason for this is that the records on different papers although local are some times in one or the other libraries. say the word and I will make progress asap.
Regards Brian aka jungle1810

[nasher546]

48 years today, as a recruit RWF Lcpl, I was presented to HM the Queen as a best recruit when she officially opened the Welsh Brigade Depot Crickhowell 10th May 1963.

There was a photograph of me shaking hands with Her Majesty that appeared on the cover and inner pages of the Regtl Journal plus the local media, Western Mail etc.

Over the years, my copy of the journal has been mislaid.

If any of our forum researches can advise me with regard to obtaining any of the photographs, or a copy of the journal, you'd make a 69 year old very happy.

Funny you should mention this Gerry, as you have just reminded me it was 40 years ago today (10/05/71) that I arrived at Crickhowell to start my training in J/S Coy.

Where does the time go! Hope you get hold of a photograph.

[Baconwallah]

The Museum can probably help with the Regimental Journal, Gerry. I'll ask Brian Owen, the curator.

John

[Baconwallah]

I jut heard from Brian Owen, Gerry. The Museum does have the Journal required, but it's in the archives recently moved from Caernarfon to Wrexham. Brian will find and copy it for you, but it will take time.

If anybody else delivers the goods before then, so much the better. In that case please let me know so I can tell Brian that he can stop searching.

John

[Gerrycc943]

That's splendid news John, thanks very much.

If I do have any successes in the meantime, I'll certainly let you know.

[Gerrycc943]

Hello Gerry,
If you can provide me with exact dates and which publication (South Wales Echo or Western Mail) that recorded this event, I can either go to Cardiff or the Bridgend reference library and have a photo printed from the micro fiche records. I may have to go to Cardiff. The reason for this is that the records on different papers although local are some times in one or the other libraries. say the word and I will make progress asap.
Regards Brian aka jungle1810

Hi Brian,

The parade was on a Fri and photographs appeared in the evening edition of the South Wales Echo. The weekend editions of the Western Mail and other local newspapers covered the parade with photographs - my late father did in fact have a copy of the Western Mail that covered the parade, including my photograph, and did have the page framed. Again, over the years, he died in 1967, it's another of those sentimental pieces that get mislaid!

Thanks for your help,

[Baconwallah]

Gerry, Brian Owen told me that he will probably go to the archives at Wrexham on Thursday. If so, he'll locate the copy of the Journal and take it back with him for scanning. Watch this space.

John

[jungle1810]

Hello Gerry & Baconwallah,
I made a search of the S/Wales Echo micro fiche for the date you posted. I did not find a photo of you in that edition. I did have the front page copied as A4. I then looked at the Western Mail for the 11 and found the following text. The Queen was presented to 3 junior soldiers, they were L/Cpl Gerald Griffiths aged 21 RWF from Gifach Goch,Private John Hussein aged 18 from the SWB, and Private Keith Weldon Welch Regiment. I expect that different editions of both papers carried different photos. But I thought it best to have these photos and text on the basis that half a loaf is better than none. Have a think about the situation and then we can make plans to get this incomplete info to you.I have 4 A4 copies for you.
Regards Brian

[Baconwallah]

Gerry, I had the following message from Brian Owen:

"I was in Wrexham yesterday and got out the Summer 1963 Regimental Journal. I'm afraid Gerry's (is his name Griffiths?) memory is incorrect re his photo. The Journal has no photo on its cover (photographic covers didn't come in until 1980) and sadly, neither is there a photo of him inside. The coverage of the Royal Visit to Brigade HQ, Crickhowell is certainly there, and he is mentioned in the text. I have brought the volume back and can scan the article if required."

Let me know if you want it, and I'll ask Brian to arrange things.

John

[Gerrycc943]

Thanks to Baconwallah and Jungle 1810 for their efforts and research.

Baconwallah informs me that there was coverage in the Journal but no photographs and he is emailing me a copy of the article. Could have sworn that my parents had the Journal.

Jungle 1810 has tracked down the prints from the Western Mail and we are currently in touch regarding postage etc.

Again, my thanks to them both and all other offers of help that I received from the forum to achieve success -it just demonstrates what a brilliant tool and source of expertise this forum boasts!!

[johnnye63]

I was there then and took part in the day as a jr Drummer, I stared at the depot on the 10th September 1962, that seems a long time ago now. John nye