There has been very little activity in the branch over the past few months. Due to having to cancel May and Junes branch meetings. We had to cancel May’s because of local elections on the day and our meeting place, Sobraon Barracks on Burton Road, is used as a polling station. Then we had to cancel Junes meeting because the Bank Holiday had been moved for Her Majesty’s jubilee celebrations and the barracks were closed for the period.
We have been considering how we could acknowledge some of our long standing members and their dedication to the branch. The outcome was to make all those with more than 30 years membership, Honorary Members and present them with a certificate to this effect.
So it was that after our quarterly lunch at The Woodcocks in Burton Waters, Frank Pacey and Derek Wood were presented with Honorary Membership by our Chairman John Hudson. Frank joined the branch in 1977, a year after it was formed. Derek joined in 1989 and was the branch as Secretary for several years and is currently the branch President.
Photos of the members enjoying a convivial lunch can be viewed here (Branch Lunch).
John Hudson presenting Frank Pacey with his Honorary MembershipMjr (retd) Derek Wood with his Honorary Membership certificate.
There are four more members yet to be given Honorary Membership, namely:-
Ken Bell, (a founder member) joined in 1976
Edd Mulhall, joined 1982
Ian Durrant, joined 1986
Conrad Garton, joined 1992
November 2021 - Remembrance Parades
The branch parades it's Standard at three services over the Remembrance Weekends.
The first is at the City's War Memorial on High Street, attended by all the civic dignitaries, the Mayor, the Sherriff, the Aldermen & Guilds of the city, et al.
At 1300hrs a small band of people hold a small service at the cemetery behind St Nicholas Church on Newport Rd. There are some 250 Commonwealth War Graves here, from WW1 & WW2, 3 of whom are from the Corps.
On the Sunday, members attend the service in the Cathedral.
Ben Revell (Standard Bearer) & John HaytreeIn Lincoln CathedralOur Secretary places a Cross of Remembrance
This evening 26 members gathered at the White Hart Hotel in Lincoln for our Annual Dinner and enjoyed a great evening of conviviality, with lots of catching up. Among these was David Hambidge and his wife, Ingola.
David has for many, many years served the branch as our Secretary and Vice Chairman. Positions he carried out with great efficiency and dedication. He and Ingola supported the branch by attending just about every function and visits to places, arranged for the members. Unfortunately they have had to leave to area to settle nearer to their family. Although attending branch meetings is not possible, they will attend other events. For this dedication to the branch we presented them with a gift of a painting of the Cathedral; a small token of our appreciation.
The President presents a gift to David HambidgeIngola and David
More photos of this excellent evening can be viewed here
24th October 2021 - Re-dedication of our Standard
Every year the Branch Standard is taken to St Nicholas Church on Newport, Lincoln to be re-dedicated and blessed. We have done this right from the first year of the founding of the branch and the Standard in 1976.
The Lincoln Branch of the Parachute Regiment Association re-dedicate their Standard at the same church, so some years ago we decided to combine the two events and hold the ceremony on the same eveining. And so it was that members of both branches once again had the pleasure of joining the Rev Hugh Jones and his congregation for this special evening service. The re-dedication takes place after the normal Even Song service, when the Stanards are blessed and we pay homage to those who gave their all in the service of our country.
The night was tinged with a bit of sadness, as it was the last time that the Reverand Hugh Jones would officate, as he has been promoted and is leaving the parish. He also acted as our Branch Padre and will be missed by all.
David Cawdron, The Rev Hugh Jones & Ben Revell.
9th September 2021 - Branch Lunch
The last time we all got together was at our Christmas Lunch in December 2019. So it was with great pleasure that we were able to have another luncheon gathering after all the tribulations caused by covid19.
Twentyeight members and partners gathered at the Woodcocks Hotel, Burton Waters to enjoy a convivial meal with lots and lots of catching up chatter.
Our guest of honour was Harry Archer, a D-Day Veteran and ex-Corps member. Some members of the branch attended his investiture as a Chevalier of the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur. (See our News entry for 24th January).
And after the lunch our President, Mjr (retd) Derek Wood, presented Harry with a copy of the Corps Centenary book, "Roger So Far".
The President welcomes everyone.Derek, presenting "Roger So Far" to Harry Archer
Like all branches Lincoln has had a very quiet period because of lockdowns, with branch activities at a standstill. We have had a couple of Zoom meetings, but they can’t beat the banter and urine extracting of a proper face to face meeting.
During this period, our erstwhile Treasurer, Ben Revell, still managed to extract hard earned cash from the members, to keep the branch coffers ticking over, by holding an “online raffle” every month. Being the wily chap that he is and needing to keep costs down to a minimum (no hefty postage charges for heavy/bulky items), he used gift tokens as the prizes. This initiative proved very popular and one of the results will be to give the members a free lunch at a local hostelry in September, our first get together.
Two notable events have taken place this year; Firstly, Edd Mulhall was awarded his 50 year Certificate and Badge during last years lockdown and this month we have finally been able to present these to Edd. A well deserved achievement. Edd served the branch as Entertainments Officer for many years.
Edd with left, John Hudson (Chairman) and right Derek Wood (President)
Secondly, there will be no arguing or dissenting with our Secretary, Sylvia Revell, as this month she gained her Black Belt in Karate. It’s maybe all the more praise worthy when you know that she also got her Bus Pass two months earlier!
Sylvia Revell receiving her Black Belt in Karate
24th January 2020
On the 24th January 2020 four members attended the investiture of the Order of the Legion_of_Honour (Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur) to Signalman Harry Archer, who landed on Gold Beach on D Day. The presentation was made at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby by Group Captain Mark Flewin, the Station Commander. A investiture was also made to mid upper gunner of Lancasters, Bert Hammond. Photos of the event.
18th October 2019
This year’s Annual Branch Dinner was held in the White Hart Hotel on Bailgate, Lincoln. The hotel opened in the 14th Century as a coaching inn and has remained in business for over 600 years.
The hotel is situated between the 900-year-old Norman Castle, built in 1068 by William the Conqueror, and Lincoln’s Medieval Cathedral, which dates back to 1072. Click here to see the Photos
25th September 2019
Some members of the branch visited Bletchley Park, the home of the WW2 codebreakers. The visit was very well organised by Dennis Weir. The group set off at 0830hrs from the Lincolnshire Poacher on Bunkers Hill, Lincoln, who had kindly let us park our cars there for the day. Click here to see our Bletchley Park photos.
29th June 2019
It was a very hot day in the city, with the temperature hitting 29°C for this years Armed Forces Day. Nevertheless, it was an excellent day with plenty of things for the public to enjoy.
6th June 2019
The 75th D-Day commemoration at the War Memorial on Lincoln High Street. 96-year-old branch member, Pat Constance, laid a wreath on behalf of the branch. Pat served with HQ 1 Corps Signals and took part in Operation Overlord and the Normandy campaign.
4th April 2019
At the branch meeting our President, Major (rtd) Derek Wood, presented John Hudson with the RSA Honour Badge and Certificate. Click here to see photos
11th November 2018
Like all other branches the day for us is a special one, as we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts around the world.
We, at Lincoln, have two parades on this day. The first is the main Remembrance Service at the city’s War Memorial on the High Street. The other is a smaller affair at the Commonwealth War Graves in Newport Cemetery behind St Nicholas’ Church.
6th June 2018
Pat Constance attended the Normandy Veterans Associations annual memorial service at the National Memorial Arboretum. Pat joined the Corps in February 1942 and served until November 1946 and took part in Operation Overlord. He was with 1 Corps Signals.
They arrived at Normandy at 2300hrs on the 6th and their LST was anchored off Graye sur Mer until they beached at 1515hrs on the 8th. It took until 1730hrs to get off loaded. They then de-water proofed and moved to Courseulles-sur-Mer.
When the war in europe ended Pat was posted to Palestine until demobbed. On the 22nd of December 1946 Pat noted in his diary “Membership Card of the Royal Signals Assoc. arrived”.
14th May 2018
Several members visited the “Lima” Sector Operations Room museum at RAF Digby. A great day out organised by member Dennis Weir.
The WW2 operations block at RAF Digby, now RAF Digby Lima Sector Operations Room Museum. The “L” or “Lima” sector operations room has been restored to resemble its appearance at the beginning of World War Two, featuring period furniture, plotting table, communications equipment and side offices.
There are also exhibits on Bomber Command, Radio Direction Finding techniques, the History of RAF Digby, and displays of aircraft parts. There are additional exhibits on the loss of HMS Glorious and MMT Lancastria in 1940. The museum is “dedicated to those who served and fought in support of freedom at home and abroad during World War Two”. Click here to see our Lima Ops Room photos.
21st March 2018
Members of the Branch and serving members of the Corps based at Waddington, assembled at the Royal Naval Association (Lincoln) Club to see Pat Constance present the RNA with a model of the cruiser HMS Exeter.
Pat had made this model when he was 15 years old, 80 years ago. It is scratch built from a plan he had found in a craft magazine. Click here to see Royal Navy Association Lincoln presentation.
1st February 2018
David Hambidge our Secretary decided that he would like to reliquish his role as Branch Secretary due to ill health. David has served the branch very well for several years; his attention to detail in keeping us all in the loop, the recording of the minutes and swift dissemination of the same, as well as the keeping up with and recording the correspondence has been to the benefit of us all.
His place will be taken by Sylvia Revell, whom we have no doubt will serve the branch equally as well.
14th December 2017
The branch held its annual Christmas Lunch at the Woocock Hotel. Thirty-one members, wives and guests had a very convivial afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
24th June 2017
Armed Forces Day in Lincoln.
6th June 2017
The 73rd anniversary of D-Day - branch member Pat Constance was at the National Memorial Arboretum to attend the memorial service and to be presented with the Legion of Honour by the French Consul. Click here to see the event.
Each year at the functions that it holds, the Darlington Branch collects money for its nominated charity. For the year 2025 – 26, the charity chosen by the Branch was the Alzheimer’s Society.
