Gentlemen
 
This morning, I tended my resignation as Secretary General and Trustee of the Welsh Guards Association to our President Colonel Tom Bonas, with immediate effect.
Several things have happened over the last several months which make me feel that my position has become untenable, and therefore I am taking the only path I feel is available to me.
 
It has been an honour and a privilege to have served you for the last 15 years, and your help, commitment and loyalty both to me and the Association has been unfailing – words are not enough to say how grateful I have been.
 
Sandra and I have made so many wonderful friends within the Association, and have always enjoyed being invited to take part in any Branch and Association functions. We sincerely hope these ties remain strong in the future.
 
Please remember that I will still available for advice or guidance if you ever need it. I intend to leave the website ‘on line ‘ for the immediate future, so if there is anything you would like published then do not hesitate to get in touch.
 
Once again, a massive ‘thank you’ to you, your families and all your members for your loyalty, friendship and wonderful memories during the last 15 years.
 
Yours ever

 
Brian

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Major Johnny Richardson died on Monday 3 July after a short, but sudden, illness. Johnny joined the Regiment in 1956 and left in early 1977. He served in a number of theatres, notably the UK, Northern Ireland and BAOR. His last appointment was Training Major, London UOTC and previous appointments included being a Company Commander at the Guards Depot and Adjutant of Eton College CCF, where he had been a pupil.
 
Johnny was very much liked and respected within the Regiment. Always positive, he had a great zest for life and his enthusiasm and good humour infectious. He had wide interests but his passion was horse racing and, being a member of a racing syndicate, was a regular attender at various meetings around the country. Johnny was also a great supporter of the Regiment, not least the WG Association race meeting at Ludlow. He will be greatly missed.
 
There will be a Service of Thanksgiving at 1430 on Thursday 14 September at St Mary’s Church, Selbourne, Hampshire GU34 3JQ followed by a reception at Shotters Barn, Shotters Lane, Newton Vallence, Alton, Hampshire GU34 3RJ. All are welcome to attend.

On Sunday July 30th 2017, it is planned to commemorate the actions taken by Sergeant Robert Bye, Welsh Guards, 100 years ago  during WW1, which  resulted in him being awarded the Victoria Cross.
This will take place at Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd at 12 noon, and all are welcome to attend.
​Branch Standards would also be greatly appreciated.

The death has been announced of Mr John Coleman.
John held the post of Chairman of the Aberdare Branch for many years, and was well known in the local community.
Funeral service to take place at St Lleurwg's Church Hirwaun, Aberdare (CF44 9TA) on Monday 12th June 2017 at 12 15 hrs.
​All welcome.

The death has been announced of Cpl Alan Kersey on 8th May 2017. He was a veteran of the Suez Crisis in the 1950s. Cremation to take place at the Carmountside Crematorium Stoke on Trent (ST2 7AB) on Wednesday May 31st at 1230 hrs..
The family would appreciate and welcome any representation from the Welsh Guards since Alan was extremely proud of the Regiment.

 The death has occurred at Morriston Hospital, Swansea on 26th April 2017 of 22217966 Lsgt Alun  Williams.  Alun served from Feb 1954 to Feb 1957.
He played Rugby for the Battalion in Egypt,  and has been a member of the Ogmore Branch for a number of years.
His Cremation Service will take place at 1515hrs on Tues 9th May 2017, at Coychurch Crematorium, Bridgend, (CF35 6AB) followed by a Reception at BRIDGEND RFC.  All are welcome, especially any members of the Bn Rugby Team he might have played with.
​

The death has been announced of Frederick Foad, age 90. He served in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards between 1945 -1947.
Funeral to take place at 12 noon on Monday 8th May 2017 at the Vale Cemetery and Crematorium, Luton LU2 8DD. The family would appreciate any Welsh Guardsmen in the area to attend.
​R.I.P.

RHQ WG PRI
In an effort to offer a wider variety of payment methods for WG PRI items, it is now possible to pay by Paypal and direct bank transfer in addition to the traditional method of cheque and order form.    
​Full details of what is available within the PRI and how to pay can be found at the following link; http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/29434.aspx
​

Ogmore Branch Dinner.
​8th April 2017. Starting with pre dinner drinks from 1900hrs.
Masonic Lodge
Coychurch Road
Bridgend
CF31 2AP

All members of the Welsh Guards family will be made most welcome.

Those wishing to attend should contact the Branch Secretary:
Mike Jones 01
01633 650367
mike_jones928@msn.com
Tickets are priced at £18 per person.
to edit.

A  tree planting event is being held at the welsh Centenary woodland site to commemorate the fallen of the First World War, on the 25th of March 2017. The organisers would very much like to welcome you and your families to join them and see the progress they have made to help build this lasting legacy.
 
Since 2015 they have now planted around 60,000 trees, nearly 3 miles of hedges, built 1.5km  of vehicular tracks, laid the foundations for the car park and created 3.5 km of path which lead the visitor around the site passing the woods and trees planted by the armed forces in 2015 and 2016.
​What an achievement !

The death has been announced of WO2 Ken Edwards, served 1965 -1987.
Funeral Monday 27th February 2017 at St Paul's ,Hooton, Cheshire, at 11 am.
​All welcome.

The death has been announced of Andy Clarke on 21st December 2016. 
He was 73, and served in the Welsh Guards during the 60's.
Funeral at Landican Cemetery  (on the Wirral, Merseyside) at 10 00 hrs on Wednesday 11th January 2017, and all are welcome.

The death has been announced of Gerald 'Dick' Dixon, age 90, at Atherstone, Warwickshire. He served in the Welsh Guards from May 1944 - December 1947.
Funeral takes place on Thursday December 8th at 10am, at St Nicholas Parish Church, Baddesley Ensor, Warwickshire.
The family would appreciate your attendance.

The death has been announced of Mike Skinner on 13th September 2016.
Funeral to take place at St David's Church, Neath (SA11 3AA) at 1230 hrs on Tuesday 4th October, followed by cremation at Margam Crematorium (SA13 2NR) at 1330 hrs.
All welcome at Twelve Knights Club at Port Talbot for the wake (SA13 2DB).

The death has been announced of Ray Cumbley age 96.
Ray was a WW2 veteran and served in the 2nd Battalion Welsh Guards. He was a great supporter of the Association and also supported the Battlefield Tours to Hechtel for many years.
Funeral at 12 noon on Friday 19th August at the Camborne Treswithian Downs Crematorium, Puggis Hill, Cornwall  (TR14 0BL).
​The family would appreciate your attendance.

1st Battalion Welsh Guards Open Day will be held on Saturday 23rd July at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright.
The main emphasis will be on fun and time with families, but also show casing the Battalion's new role, Light Mechanized.Infantry. Further details from Secretary General or Branch Secretaries.

The death has been announced of Frederick Charles Bridle, age 90, on Monday 6th June 2016. 
He was a veteran of WW2, serving in the 1st and 2nd Battalion between 1943 - 1947.
Funeral takes place at Wenault Chapel, Thornhill Crematorium on Friday 17th June at 14 45 hrs.
​The family would appreciate Association representation at the funeral.

Ron Loverage passed away on 11th May 2016 in Dubai. He served in the Welsh Guards 1960 -1970 as L/Sgt.
Funeral at Gwent Crematorium on Tuesday 14 June at 15 30 hrs.
Further details from Rebecca Loverage (daughter). Tel: 07940528337, or email: rsloverage@yahoo.co.uk
The family would appreciate Welsh Guards attendance.

Arthur Bland died peacefully on Saturday evening at home with his partner Jean.
He was a WW2 veteran (2657354) and a strong and loyal supporter of the Welsh Guards Association as well as the Regiment.

Funeral details:
Friday 10th June 2016 at 1320 hrs 
Thanet Crematorium
Manston Rd, Margate, Kent 
CT9 4LY

Family flowers only and any donations sent to Help for Heroes.
The family would appreciate representation from the Welsh Guards Association.