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Someone asked me the other day, why can we no longer use the facilities of the Barracks for the reunion and I couldn't answer him. Apologies if this question has already been answered but could somebody humour me so that I can pass on the information to the person who posed the question. No offence but just the reason rather than theories to alay any confusion. Thanks in anticipation.
Hello Gwyn,
The barracks have been taken over by the 101st R.E.M.E and has been a bone of contention for quite a while. The R.W.F. were forced to accept a very small part of the barracks.We are left with the small block of offices only. We used the barracks for a long time under sufferance from the R.E.ME hierarchy. It is all part of the run down and cost cutting by the M.O.D.But we have over come these difficulties with our usual aplomb and good humour. And more to the point we are all having a good time at our A.G.M.
Regards as ever R B D aka jujngle1810
Hello Richard, thank you for your reply. Am I to believe then, that the only reason we can no longer use the facilities is just petty indifference to our traditions in the Barracks that was ours for so long. I thought that the reason may have been at least one of security or indeed a Health and Safety/insurance issue. Has it really come to this between Corps and Regiment and if so, those at the top of the tree really should really be asking themselves what they are doing wearing a uniform and holding a Commission when they actually have no respect for the military way of life and the traditions therein. Any brass hat out there like to help for the sake of the lads that would have followed you into hell and back or do we just sit back and accept that we have been ousted - end of!
Shafted.
Hello Gwyn,
The reason we lost the use of Hightgown was because the R.E.M.E. complained they did not have enough room to function properly. It appears that we used the barracks under a lot of duress for a couple of years. I must make mention of the fact our Colonel of the Regiment at this time tried very hard for permission for the Comrades to continue to use the barracks. The end was in sight when the R.W.F.C.A. executive met for one of our meetings.The location we normally used was by coincidence commandeered for the use of an officers dinner by the the R.E.M.E.We then had to use the top office in the building by the keep now our regimental shop. The death knell approached when with the consent of the M.O.D.changes were made in accordance of the R.E.M.E's wishes.
The R.E.M.E. had a lot of their staff using B & B in the Wrexham area, they made a case to the M.O.D. that they needed to upgrade the barracks to accommodate these soldiers.This application was approved by the M.O.D. and this coupled with the fact that the two former training blocks were sold off to a housing conglomerate for flats etcetera. This was the final straw for the RWF comrades. But the RWF hierarchy done their best to hold on to our ancestral home but the obduracy and intransigence of the R.E.M.E and money meant it was the end of the road for the RWF comrades. But as I mentioned our Colonel and regimental secretary have worked hard to make our A.G.M. as near as possible to the conditions we formerly enjoyed which includes a function room for the AG.M. and the 0.22 shooting and evening meal is still firing on all cylinders. Which typifies the resilience and character of the R.W.F. Comrades Association and our thanks must go out to our Colonel and Regimental secretary for their resilience and die hard attitude
Regards as ever, R.B.D. aka jungle1810
It would appear then that it is "all up" for the reunion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers as we know it. There were some concerns echoed on the forum two years ago when a number of Platoon/ Company groups announced that they would hold a mini reunion on the Friday night of the Reunion weekend. Some thought it would harm the main reunion though their fears were unfounded. In fact, it brought comrades along who had not been for some time and even some whom had never before attended so it was a positive step.
Now it is all up the air with the Wynnstay (a magnet of a meeting place) closing down and whilst it is likely to re-open at some stage, will the new layout suit the numbers that cram into the place on that hallowed weekend. No Barracks, no Wynnstay, where do we go from here here. The small groups like the Drums (now well established,well done to them), Signals and Support Company boys (see Clive Rees's post ref October) hopefully will continue what they have started so that there will be (somewhere) a gathering of Royal Welch Fusiliers. To Hell with the REME, their Barracks and their petty Corps jealousy. They will never know the "family" that we have known.
Iam lead to beleave that the keep has been knocked down to make way for a new one.
Hello bernie 8,
I very much doubt the keep has been demolished I spoke to the regimental secretary today via a phone link and he did not complain about the weather where he was.
Regards RBD
At least the powers to be will not be able to destroy the League of Friends in their quest to let everything Royal Welch Fusiliers disappear without a fight, though I had it on the very best authority In the LOF, that it's formation did not sit well with the Officer Corps as, "OR's already have a reunion in Wrexham" There are those who could have given more of a fight to save the reunion in Wrexham but this determination to move on has gone from what I believed to be the right thing to do, to an obcene disregard for those who have gone before. Please dont tell me that Generals dont have clout with a REME CO or with the MOD I dont believe it. Royal Welch Fusiliers will continue to meet, will continue their reunions and re-live their memories for many years to come, maybe in small pockets here and there but they will continue regardless of what happens in Wrexham and with a clear concience. There are those who have called for the support of the new Regiment and in the main the majority have done so and will continue to do so. All the comrades ask, is a little support in return on one weekend a year. Not a lot to ask is it for the service these men gave over different campaigns. How about some help for these heroes.
Hello Gwyn
I liked the last thread you posted in fact I thought a reply is better than ticking the like post It was clear and cogent thread and right to the point. In fact I have received an invitation
to attend the "ALPHA'S " get together and am looking forward to attending the Nag's head on the Friday. You are correct in what you put on one of your threads, there was a bit of worry over the effects of these various groups meeting but I and others can only draw the conclusion it is a wonderful concept and long may it reign. As is case in point of the L.O.F. Keep up the good work.
RBD aka jungle1810