Branches, Clubs or Individuals wishing to have notifications placed on our website and mailing list should email details to webmaster@kosb.co.uk
YOUR MUSEUM NEEDS YOU
“The KOSB Museum is open to the public between 1/4/19 and 30/10/19 but requires volunteers to staff it on weekends between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Duties include opening and closing the building, greeting visitors, security and generally being the face of the Regiment. We work in teams of two and need volunteers to keep the doors open. Training and instruction is provided (as is a contribution to travel expenses where required). If you can volunteer some of your time, please get in contact with the Museum Committee chair Andrew Herberts on herbsandrew@yahoo.co.uk or with the Association Secretary.
It is a fun and rewarding experience, with a wide mix of visitors to meet, mostly with an interest in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers but some just sheltering from the rain! We are looking for any enthusiastic individuals to muck in and help retain the Regiment’s public profile, history and traditions. Age, sex, rank or even service are no barrier.”
THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION OP BANNER 50 & COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS 2019
OP BANNER 50 – 14 AUGUST 2019
NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM
The Royal British Legion has announced plans to host a commemorative event at 14:00 on Wednesday 14 August 2019 to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK Armed Forces’ deployment on operations in Northern Ireland in response to growing sectarian unrest – the longest continuous operation in British military history. The event will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum, home of the Armed Forces Memorial.
Over the course of the operation, 300,000 troops were deployed to Northern Ireland supported by significant numbers of men and women from the emergency services. During that time, 1,441 UK Armed Forces personnel died, either in Northern Ireland, or because of paramilitary actions in other countries; all their names are listed on the Armed Forces Memorial.
The ceremony will be apolitical, secular and non-celebratory; appropriate in both tone and content. Centred on the Armed Forces Memorial, the ceremony will seek to honour the service and sacrifice of the relevant veterans from both the military and the emergency services. To attend, individuals must have been awarded the GSM (NI) (or civilian equivalent in the case of the emergency services).
Within the ceremony, time will be allocated to remember the 1,441 personnel killed during “The Troubles” and it is entirely appropriate that two members of each bereaved family should attend. The Legion will work with the appropriate agencies to enable their attendance. Whilst it is recognised that many other family members may wish to also attend, the primary audience for this particular ceremony is focussed on those that served on Op Banner and the attendance priority will therefore reflect that.
Accreditation
Please note that the Legion event at the Arboretum will be a closed, accredited event. Invitations, validation and accreditation will be managed using a similar processes used each year as part of the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph. As with the Cenotaph, we would be grateful for your continued support and help.
The Legion, therefore, will not accept applications from individual veterans but will instead direct applicants to their parent Association / Single Service Lead to issue invitations. Full details and the relevant Legion accreditation portal will open in Mid-March 2019 and the intent is to manage access exclusively via electronic ticketing.
You will receive a link via email by w/c 11 March to enable you to issue invitations.
Veteran Associations and the Single Services are asked to promote the event to their respective membership and serving communities in order to achieve full participation further details can be found on our website: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/op-banner-50/
Prior to a Legion-provided lunch for all those attending, there will be an opportunity for those units and Associations with memorials at the Arboretum to host their own discrete activity. Associations intending to take advantage of this opportunity are asked to register their intent with the Arboretum directly: www.thenma.org.uk/events-at-the-arboretum/op-banner-50-register-your-event/
Please note that there will be no capacity for additional members of Associations to gain access to the event on 14 August 2019 other than those appropriately accredited to attend the Op Banner 50 commemorations.
All resourcing costs relating to the event are being met by a combination of a specific Libor Grant awarded by HM Treasury and the Legion. Sadly, funding is neither available to cover individual travel costs nor to fund related Association events.
COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS 2019
2019 marks an important moment in the commemorative calendar as the nation’s attention shifts from WW1 to more recent anniversaries, almost all involving veterans still living within UK communities. We would therefore be grateful if you could also share the below information with your communities.
Monte Cassino 75, 11 May 2019
National Memorial Arboretum
This year we will be remembering the heroism, courage and collaboration of the over 200,000 Allied and Commonwealth forces, who came from all corners of the earth, to fight in the battles of Monte Cassino and the Italy Campaign.
On Saturday 11 May, The Royal British Legion will hold an event to mark the 75th anniversary of the start of the final battle of Monte Cassino and commemorate the wider Italy Campaign at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948–12 May 1949) was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War. At one minute after midnight on 12 May 1949, the Soviets lifted their barricades and restored access from West Germany to Berlin. A British convoy immediately drove through, and the first train from the West reached Berlin at 5:32 that morning.
The Royal British Legion will be organising an event in the UK, at the IWM Duxford on Sunday 12 May 2019 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Berlin Blockade.
6 June 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings – one of the most remarkable Allied wartime operations. On 6 June, the Legion will be organising events at Bayeux Cathedral and Bayeux Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Cemetery in France.
The Royal British Legion is also working with the UK Government and other stakeholders to plan significant commemorations to mark D-Day 75 across the United Kingdom, including events in Portsmouth on 5 June 2019.
I very much hope that the Legion can count on your valuable support. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Commemorative Events Team on commemorative.events@britishlegion.org.uk
FROM JOHN CURRIE
Got some spare time and looking to help others well, ssafa could be the place for you and we are desperately looking for helpers throughout the Borders. See below two rolls in which you could get involved.
Case worker
Essential
Desirable
A person with sufficient life experience and skills to be able to support a client through a challenging time.
Experience or understanding of a mentoring or coaching programme.
Experience professional with experience of uniformed service or local or national governmental service.
Retired member of UK Armed Forces who has made a successful transition to civilian life.
A person who has the experience of the issues surrounding readjustment and social function difficulties.
Got some spare time and looking to help others well, ssafa could be the place for you and we are desperately looking for helpers throughout the Borders. See below two rolls in which you could get involved.
Skills, attributes, knowledge and abilities
A sound knowledge of Microsoft systems and a competent IT user with the ability to assimilate training on SSAFA internal systems.
An understanding of the work of SSAFA, the volunteer network and the various services that fall within its remit.
Willingness to undertake an Enhanced DBS check or PVG check.
Good active listening skills.
Good communication skills (written and verbal) and good report writing skills.
Motivated (a self starter).
Reliable and resourceful.
Ability to empathise and work sensitively.
Ability to keep accurate and timely records.
A positive approach to working in a multi racial/cultural environment.
Non judgemental.
Open and affable.
Good organisational and prioritising skills.
Driving Licence and access to a car.
Role2 Associate/SSAFA Supporter
To assist the oldest Military charity in the UK by supporting us with activities such as raising awareness at street level, fundraising events and county shows. Assist in any way that promotes the work and awareness of the charity for the benefit of Veterans or serving Military Personnel and their families.
Non- remunerated but expenses paid. If you looked at the case workers role but feel that you don’t want to commit to that extent then this could be for you. Anytime you can spare would be most welcome. I would be more than happy to chat through any of the above id you felt you could assist or want to know more about ssafa.
Contact:
John Currie
PR, Awareness and Fund Raising Officer
Hollytree House
13 Old Smiddyfield Park
Blyth Bridge
Peeblesshire EH46 7AN
(H) 01721 752638
(M) 07810486337
Email: john.currie581@btinternet.com
SERGEANT GEORGE BARTON – It is with deep regret we inform you of the death of George Barton. George, Sgt 7KOSB was a 6pdr Atk Gunner at Arnhem.
WILLIAM SCOTT – It is with deep regret we inform you of the death of William (Wull) Scott who died in the Margaret Kerr unit at the Borders General Hospital on Monday 4th March 2019.
William served with 1KOSB in Hong Kong, Borneo and Germany in the 1960’s.
His funeral will be held at 13.00hrs on Wednesday 13th March 2019 at Melrose Crematorium. Family have requested family flowers only please and all veterans to wear regimental ties.
BERWICK BRANCH NOTIFICATION – from Bill HeaneyIt has been decided that we should hold an informal Branch ‘Pub Night’ for those Borderers who live in Berwick, so that we can get together for a social evening where you can drink whatever you fancy and we can all “Swing the Light” for a couple of hours or so.Therefore, it is planned to meet in ‘The Brewers Arms’ (“The Battery”), in Marygate, at 7pm on Wednesday 08 May 2019. We will all get a free pint on arrival, we’re trying to arrange for a wee buffet to be available and we can all catch up for a chat and a laugh.
We haven’t had such an evening for a long time so it is hoped that you will all give this small event your best support. I emphasise that it is informal so there is no need to get into your best ‘bib & tucker.’
In order to get an idea of how many people are going to be there, will you please contact the Branch Secretary by telephone (01573 223316) as soon as possible to let him know if you plan to attend or not. There are four of us so far; Maj K Fraser, Mr C Storrie, Mr J Mercer and Mr W Heaney.
Please make an effort to come and join us, this could turn out to be a great wee night out but we really need your support.
YOUR MUSEUM NEEDS YOU
WILLIAM SCOTT – It is with deep regret we inform you of the death of William (Wull) Scott who died in the Margaret Kerr unit at the Borders General Hospital on Monday 4th March 2019.