What does the Reunion mean to you.

I have been to the Reunion in Wrexham on only four occasions. Not many I will admit but there have been many valid reasons why I couldn't attend and one or two (to my embarrassment) when I have been too idle to make the effort. The first three of those reunions I basically travelled down memory lane with some fantastic guys, some of whom are no longer with us and got hammered. Sunday evening was a grey hung over mix of things that I recall happening and some I possibly imagined, stories with no recall of the ending. A great session in other words.

The last reunion (2009) I attended was very different for me. I had arthritis of the knee and had to make sure I didn't overdo it and end up falling and spilling someones drink - Armeggedon! It did however give me a different view of what went on around me. I looked at faces that I knew and those that I didn't, the look, a mixture of suprise and joy on those faces when each of them met up with an old mate/comrade was priceless. I think it was probably the first time I realised what the reunion was all about. I myself met up with guys whom I had not seen for over thirty years and sadly it was to be the last time that I and others would see a great pal George Wilson who passed away early the following year. Had it not been for the reunion our only contact would have been by telephone.

I now regret those few occasions when I was too idle to get off my backside and make the trip, and I suppose that I got so plastered on the occasions I did attend, that I missed so much going on around me. The reunion is an occasion that is so special and irreplacable that it can only be realised when it is no more. When the body clocks of those comrades (who have made the journey year on year) start to tick, only to realise it is no more, it will indeed be a sad day for The Royal Welch Fusiliers.

Hello Gwyn,
Re your sporadic attendance at the A.G.M. Better late than never.
I experienced a similar situation you encountered. Some years ago I attended a meeting of the L.O.F. and met a legend from the 1st battalion Sgt Duffisey he was completely unaware of the L O F and where and when they met. This was the last time I had the chance to chew the fat over our time in Jamaica etcetera. I was informed he had died shortly after his first and only visit to the L O F. He did how ever manage to tell me how much he enjoyed the L O F and the former friends he met there. I am also of the opinion we have a band of friends in the R.W.F.C.A. and long may the A.G.M reign. One fly in the ointment I have heard that only 50 comrades have booked the evening meal. This is a pity after reading the threads on us losing the use of Wrexham, because so much hard work goes into the A.G.M. and if we lose the evening meal and by definition the buffet we only have our selves and apathy to blame.
Regards RBD aka jungle1810

Gwyn, I have to admit that last year was my first time to attend the reunion. I had countless reasons for all the times I had not attended, but probably the one at the back of them all was the stupid notion that no one after all this time (I left Dec 86) would remember me. This of course was reinforced further as time went on. Anyway after some persuasion from Chow I attend last year.
Within minutes of arriving I realised what a complete fool I had been and what I’d missed out on all these years. I found myself talking and laughing with old friends I had not seen for twenty four years about things as if they had happened last week. All weekend people who for various reasons I had not had a lot to do with, i.e.different Company or Dept made a point of coming up to shake hands and have a chat. To see and feel the camaraderie again after being out for so long was overwhelming. Before I had finished my first drink I told my wife “we will becoming again next year”.
Although losing my job at the beginning of this year I went ahead in March and booked the Wynstay for two and paid in full. Because I paid by B.C. I will get my money back but it will be after the event. I like many others am gutted with the closure, not only from the point of view of not being able to stay there but it was the focal point for the reunion. Being still out of work I cannot afford to rebook anywhere this year but will be attending next year wherever the reunion takes place.

Dave Jenkins

Gwyn I to have only been to the reunion on a couple of occasions.To see the faces of the people that I had the luck to spend so much time with. Because of work commitments I missed a lot of them and like you to my regret.But this has now changed, as posted a new sort of reunion has appeared in Penygroes with Jeff Thomas51 and of course Clive Rees08, although not on the scale of Wrexham, it's a great get together with some old and good mates.If you can make it try and come along, it would be great to see you again and talk about old times.But as you have stated if it is no more, then indeed it will be a sad day for THE ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS.

I have never attended the reunion as i follow the rugby home ad away every year,because of operation reasons i have been following the 2nd bn rugby for the last 2 years,and went to Chester to watch 1st v 2nd and was great to go back into the red dragon club after,
i speak to all my old mates who still attend the reunion and the feedback is what a great time they had,it would be a great pitty if the reunion was to fold,but i am sure this would never happen,it is also great to see all of the other mini reunions taking place,and good luck to you all and hope you can solve the problem out.

Dai 55

As a member of the RWFCA Executive and on the RWRA Executive I can allay everyones fears that the Wrexham reunion will not, and I state will not cease until such times as it can no longer sustain itself with Comrades from the RWF anylonger due to their passing on.

What I will say however, is that it's our reunion and we should all support the events etc that are put on. We are seeing less and less comrades attending the organised events each year and this is a worry despite there being 500+ ex-RWF and the wives and families being in Wrexham that weekend.

Please come a support the events:

This year there is a shooting competition (individual and team) ring 01978 316100 to book a place before 2nd Sept

Standard Bearers Comp (as above)

Your AGM 1200hrs Sat 3rd Sept

Annual Dinner 1900hrs Sat 3rd Sept (£15 per head with a free drink)

Hingey

What Does the Re-Union Mean To Me?
3 days of my life written off every year. But Well worth it.
BennytheBall