The 60th Anniversary Dinner - 28 June 2014

At Welshpool Town Hall, on the evening of Saturday 28th June, the Welshpool Branch of The Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association(RWFCA), held their 60th Anniversary Dinner. Approximately 90 people enjoyed a 4 course meal, speeches and entertainment.

We owe special thanks to the Mayor, Mayoress and Welshpool Town Councillors who got fully involved and attended the evening. The event could not have taken place without the support of Welshpool Town Council, the Welshpool RWF Comrades Branch is extremely grateful for their assistance. We were also pleased to have the support of our friends from the Shrewsbury Branch of the RWFCA, Brian and Gwen Jandrell from the Newtown Branch and of course John Williams and his wife who had travelled all the way from Caernarfon. It really was appreciated.

Although the evening was a celebration, it was also a commemoration of those original members who had formed the branch in 1954, many of them had fought in WW2. Indeed the evening started with a minutes silence for those Branch Members, no longer with us.

We were honoured to have present not only a contingent of Welshpool ladies who served with the Land Army 1939-45, but also six WW2 veterans from the town. Those gentlemen were:

George Beedles - RAF
Elfed Davies - The Gordon Highlanders
John Gwilt - The Royal Artillery
Ted Jones MM - The Royal Welch Fusiliers
Harold Jones - The Royal Welch Fusiliers
Jack Ellis MBE 6th (Royal Welch)Parachute Battalion

They were highly revered by everyone on the night, it really was a special occasion, especially as many of the veterans had brought their younger family members along.

Three photos below. Firstly the original Branch Members in 1954. Every single man pictured was mentioned and their service to their country recognised on the night. Of that group, only Mr Harold Jones is still alive. He was at the dinner with his family on Saturday night, it was so nice to have him there and in such good health.

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The second picture is of the six WW2 veterans along with The Mayor and Mayoress of Welshpool; Malcolm & Barbara Douglass.

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Finally a group picture of the RWF Veterans who attended, with the guys from WW2.

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