Selly Oak Hospital (R WELSH Inpatients) - Visit

chrisw31 · 22-08-2007, 07:17

Hi Richie,
Hope you are well on the road to recovery and things are ok. Can you send Spence all my best he's a really good bloke used to be in room next to him in Ballykelly.
Take care mate

Chris 31

**Gerrycc943** · 23-08-2007, 20:43

Hi again,

[B]For Ritchie.[/B Missed you Tue, you were 'gongking'.

However, I'm a little concerned regarding Lcpl Sam's statement reference his family's financial state, which restricts their visits.

I propose to visit next Tue (Mon being Bank Holiday).

In the meantime, however, can I ask you Ritchie, to speak to Lcpl Sam regarding the hardship of his family's visits. If they are experiencing financial hard times, I will certainly help with the re-imbursement of their travelling costs.

I have properties in Solihull, one 3 bedroomed currently unoccupied. I can accommodate Sam's family, he will have to give me numbers, at no cost: I'm a 23rd thorough bread, however, it will have to be self catering.

My Wife (Verna) will provide all bedding, linen, sheets and toiletries plus a shoulder to lean on.

Outside of self catering, everyone will be invited back to my place, Ritchie and Spence included, I will provide transport, for a "Chin Wag", "Scoff", "Social" and a "Rugby de-brief".

**dutchman** · 24-08-2007, 05:38

gerry i just read your last post , i don't know you but would be proud to , you sound one hell of a guy . three cheers from me mate and keep up the great work you are so obviousely doing well done

ianto73 · 24-08-2007, 11:45

May I thank each and everyone who is visiting the hospital and keeping an eye on our lads, there are no adequate words to describe this sort of support. In the event that any one is destined for the BLESMA home in Blackpool, please let me know as I live in Fleetwood and know the Manageress there very well, so visiting is not a problem. Keep up the good work and pass on my best wishes to all in Selly Oak.
It is nearly the 40th Anniversary of my leaving Aden and I have personal knowledge of the Middle East, its harsh environment and peoples.
Best Regards

**Barry69** · 24-08-2007, 15:12

Gerry your a Star its knowing that guys like you are around to help when the need arises, you make me feel so proud to of served with such a fine Royal Welchman as yourself ! although our paths never crossed once a Welchman always a Welchman

Take care great work Gerry you and your good wife

Barry

UKSniper · 24-08-2007, 20:42

Originally Posted by Gerrycc943

Hi again,

[B]For Ritchie.[/B Missed you Tue, you were 'gongking'.

However, I'm a little concerned regarding Lcpl Sam's statement regarding his family's financial state, which restricts their visits.

I propose to visit next Tue (Mon being Bank Holiday).

In the meantime, however, can I ask you Ritchie, to speak to Lcpl Sam regarding the hardship of his family's visits. If they are experiencing financial hard times, I will certainly help with the re-imbursement of their travelling costs.

I have properties in Solihull, one 3 bedroomed currently unoccupied. I can accommodate Sam's family, he will have to give me numbers, at no cost: I'm a 23rd thorough bread, however, it will have to be self catering.

My Wife (Verna) will provide all bedding, linen, sheets and toiletries plus a shoulder to lean on.

Outside of self catering, everyone will be invited back to my place, Ritchie and Spence included, I will provide transport, for a "Chin Wag", "Scoff", "Social" and a "Rugby de-brief".

Gerry your a star. I will look into the financial hard times of Sam's family and see what is being done at a Regimental HQ level.

Best regards
Mat

**Gerrycc943** · 30-08-2007, 22:36

Hi again,

Having experienced a pretty turbulent week, in my own life, I haven't been able to visit Selly Oak, I do, however, keep in touch on the phone. The Footie this week has occupied most minds at the hospital so I don't think I will have been missed!!

I do, however, ring the wards daily to enquire as to how our lads are doing. The Staff all know me now as results of my visits, and to date, no immediate problems identified.

I had intended to visit this evening, Rang the ward first, I've learned the lesson to check first, only to be told that Catherine Jenkins was a VIP visitor to our "Boyos" , the Welch(sh) in particular - a hard act to follow , so I reverted to the ever reliable Mobile, texting and voicemail. Sitrep as follows:

Ritchie is on the Forum Anyway.

Spence.
Spoke to Mrs Toni . She wishes to thank , on behalf of, not only herself, Spence's mother and all those who have made a valuable contribution to the well being and speedy recovery for Spence.

Went one step further, having spoke to Toni, land line, she wishes to join our forum. Gave her all the details regarding loggin in etc. She's quite overwhelmed, actually, with the support that she has received from all the RW Regiments and overcome with the RW assistance that she has recieved to date.

Lcpl Sam. 2nd Bn
This is the lad that concerns me, having e-mailed him, sent texts with no reply. I am however paying him a visit tomorrow (Fri) and will keep the forum updated accordingly.

My generous offer of accn, albeit self catering, still applies to anyone with restricted visitation problems, whilst I still have a 3 bedroom property on the market! (At no cost).

If anybody out there who knows Sam and would like to give him a message, come thru me as follows:

Mobile 1: 07932829502
Mobile 2: 07979013605

E-mail: ggcc43@blueyonder.co.uk
Ggerrycc43@supanet.com

**tony jones** · 31-08-2007, 13:51

popped into see ritchie yesterday afternoon on the way back from brecon,ritchie is in a bit of dis comfort but in good spirit after his free fall thanks to the steps in the millenium stadium last week,had a nice surprise when i accidently bumped into catherine jenkins who was visiting the ward very nice i must say,ritchie is dissapointed that he is missing the comrades weekend and now is aiming his sights at next years

**Gerrycc943** · 06-09-2007, 22:47

Hi again,

Had intended to visit Selly Oak today but got a little bogged down, I seem to have a buyer for my vacant 3 Bedroom. Did, however, phone Spence on his mobile, details of conversation as follows:

1st Bn (Ritchie).

Ruth is now back from Cyprus and back into the Hospital Family flats. Didn't speak to Ritchie but Spence is in the next bed to him and assures us that he is ok.

2nd Bn (Lcpl Sam).

Going home tomorrow for the weekend. Wishes to express his thanks to all you well wishers out there!

REME (Spence).

In good form, his wife (Toni) is still accommodated at the Hospital Family flats. His children are coming up tommorrow, for the weekend, and he was quite thrilled and excited at the prospect!

I have, however, arranged with Spence for a visit Mon evening, visiting; 1830 - 2030hrs. Spence is keen to become a forum member, alas, the info that I passed to Toni last Friday might have been mis-translated by text. See what I can do Mon evening. Any messages for the boys, please let me have them before Mon lunchtime.

POST SCRIPT.

In the Birmingham Mail this evening is a smashing coloured photo of Ritch with Katherine Jenkins. I have already written to the Mail Editor, asking for a glossary photograph that Ritchie can frame. Who knows, they might might even frame it for him, he is after all a war veteran!! Will keep you informed accordingly.

Being the amateur PC sleuth, have attempted, with no success, to place the photograph on the Forum Site. Can anyone at the top guide me through the procedure? Failing this, I am prepared to send the photograph to Bob or Al, perhaps they may even give the photograph an appropriate caption!

**Gerrycc943** · 10-09-2007, 23:57

Hi again,

Having to juggle my vists around the sporting calendar, Rugby, Cricket and Football etc, visited Selly Oak this evening at 1830hrs.

1st Bn

Ritchie wasn't on the Ward when I arrived, he was over at the Families Flats with Ruth.

I was informed by a member of the nursing staff that he could be leaving for Cyprus in a day or two - possibly tommorrow!

2nd Bn

Lcpl Sam was asleep when I visited. He had apparently returned, from his weekend at home, slightly fragile and a little overhung! Good for him.

REME Att 2nd Bn

Spence greeted me with good news in as much as he may well be moving to Hadley Court on 25 Sep.

His wife, Toni, has returned to Tidworth as his little boy is now back in School. He will be going home Friday on a weekend pass.

For Hingey. He did say that he was going to phone you.

Visits

CO 2nd Bn visited both Lcpl Sam and Spence last week.

REME Staff Officer visited Spence last week and reassured him that any domestic or financial issues he had would be taken care of by the REME Welfare Association, allaying all Spence's concerns! Pretty comforting eh!!

Bye for now,