DYRMS OBA

Dear Dukies

Our Hon.Soc.Sec. advises that the current numbers listed for the Luncheon are very low, only 23 so far. 

It really is IMPORTANT to get your places for the Luncheon notified as soon as reasonably possible otherwise we can end up with having to consider cancelling at a late stage with consequent penalty costs.

All enquiries to Ted Bartlett please, details on the luncheon form (click HERE to view).

Also, a reminder about the OBA AGM which will be held at The Ives Lounge, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, next Friday 11 March. Buffet at 1800 hrs, meeting starts at 1830 hrs.

Best wishes

Derek Jones

Dear Dukies

I regret to advise you of the death of an Old Dukie, Fred Cockerill. His Dukie brother Art Cockerill writes:

My brother Fred joined the schools at Cheltenham in 1940 and followed me into G Coy – or Kitchener House as it was then fast becoming known. He joined the band and learned to play the clarinet, rather more expertly than I if the truth be known. He became an Army Apprentice at the ATS Arborfield and was transferred to the Corps of Royal Engineers for his basic training. His first posting was to Gibraltar and, from there to Singapore where he rose to the rank of Armament Artificer (Staff Sergeant). He left the army when his time was up and moved to Uganda where he started Grafton Construction Company.

He knew Idi Amin before he (Amin) took over as dictator of Uganda and introduced me to him. When Amin took over the country, Fred gathered all his employees who wished to leave and, with the help of two brothers (Harry and Malcolm) drove a convoy of trucks, tractors, bulldozers and earth-moving equipment to the Kenya border where he continued work in the construction business. His work took him to Somalia, Yemen, Persia (as it was then, before it was renamed Iran) and other parts of the Middle East.

He died of pneumonia in Kampala, Uganda, on Monday 28th February. He is survived by his wife Miriam and his children Paul, Diane, Bianca and Andrew.

Derek Jones

Dear Dukies

The school has advised as follows:-

There will be a Memorial Service in the School on Friday 18th February at 1000 hrs for Mr Andrew Whale. Mr Whale was Housemaster of Wellington House. This is how the school advised parents.

`Mr Whale was committed to the welfare of the students in Wellington House. Everyone in the school is saddened by his death and we have sent our sincere condolences and sympathies to his family and friends. In the interests of everyone at the school at this difficult time, we ask that we be allowed to grieve in peace without further intrusion.´

Kindly note, that I am only transmitting this message and have no further details.

Regards

Derek Jones

OBA Committee

Saturday 29th January. Leigh Park Hotel, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire.

Anyone who would like to attend please contact Andy Barlow on 07900 802669 or email barlowandrew@hotmail.com

The Annual General Meeting will be held on the 11th March 2011 in the Ives Room at the Royal Chelsea Hospital.

Dress will be collar and tie. The meeting will start at 1830hrs, buffet will be available from 1800hrs.

Due to the sad loss of 4 members during last year we are in need of new blood on the committee.

Ray Howarth

For a copy of the 2011 Annual Luncheon booking form, please click HERE

Regards

It’s with great sadness I report the death of Vice President George Shorter on 10 December 2010, details of the funeral will be posted when known.

Ray Howorth

The Annual Luncheon will now take place on the 9th April 2011, not the 16th April as first publicised.

Booking form will be with the January Newsletter.

Ray Howarth

Just a few words to report the death of an old boy.

Victor Dugdale died peacefully on Saturday 20th November at St. Annes on Sea.

He started at the Duke of York’s 8th May 1935 and from there in 1939 joined the Royal Signals with whom he remained until 1948 leaving with the rank of Captain.

The funeral will be this Friday 3rd December at St Peter’s, Shipton Bellinger, near Tidworth at 2.30pm.

Regards

Paul Dugdale

Dear OBA member,

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School offers a huge range of outdoor education to the pupils and staff. Adventure training expeditions, D of E, sailing, kayaking, CCF exercises and clubs and activities are just a few of the activities which are available to the pupils and staff, all these activities rely on a four wheel drive off road vehicle to support them. We currently have a P registration long wheel base Landrover defender.

Unfortunately this is now a very tired vehicle and is costing a lot of money to maintain. It is my intention to replace this with a more modern and economical similar type vehicle for around £25,000.

I have secured funds from parents donations, friends of the school and potentially the Army Central Fund. I will also be holding fund raising events throughout the next 2 years to raise as much as possible towards the cost.

I would like to invite the OBA either, collectively or individually, to donate a sum of money towards the cost of replacing our tired school Landrover. (Please send any donations direct to the School, NOT via the OBA. Cheques can be made out to “Land Rover fund” or the school.)

All pupils and staff will benefit from the new vehicle for many years to come.

Kind Regards,

S Dowle
WO1 RSM
Head of Outdoor Education