|
Sunday, September 22nd 2002 marked the end of an extremely busy, but highly successful, first year in existence for the Aberdeen Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association. From an idea hatched by Mr Bob Crocker (founder and now first chairman of the branch) while he attended a funeral of a former colleague from ‘B’ Company XV Para along ex regular & 15 Para veterans who attended the same funeral. The idea developed from chatting with all the former Para colleagues after the funeral, through a first tentative meeting on 29th September 2001 to a church service and parade involving His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay and the other eight branches of the North Region is a testament to what can be achieved with drive and determination by the men of the Parachute Regiment. The timing of the dedication ceremony afforded a unique opportunity to combine the dedication of the new Aberdeen Branch standard with a parade to mark the 60th anniversary of the Parachute Regiment and 25 years for HRH being Regimental Colonel Chief and Patron of the Regimental Association. Thus, when the parade formed up, it consisted of 60 members from the Aberdeen Branch and 120 members from the North Region’s other 8 branches. These numbers were unfortunately restricted due to Royal Protection security and limited accommodation in both the church and the venue for the garden party reception. As well as Aberdeen’s new standard, the eight standards from the other North Region branches were also on parade. After a very moving dedication ceremony inside Queens Cross Church, the parade re-formed, while Prince Charles was accompanied on his walk about by the Aberdeen Branch Honorary President Brig (Rted) Dick Hardie OBE, MB ChB MSC L/RAMC (Brig Hardie was the last CO of 23 PFA) and chairman, Mr Bob Crocker and the Aberdeen Lord Provost. With the new standard leading, the 180 members of the North Region made an impressive sight as they marched past HRH Prince Charles who took the parade salute wearing his beret, with the band playing the inevitable “Ride of the Valkyries”. At the garden party afterwards, HRH Prince Charles went out of his way to meet as many association members and their wives as possible. The sound of laughter was frequently heard as stories of deeds (and misdeeds) were recounted to the Prince. The event finished with a presentation to Prince Charles of a silver statuette of a Parachute Regimental Association standard bearer in honour of his 25th year as Colonel-in-Chief. The statuette was another idea hatched by Mr Bob Crocker and was specially commissioned by the Aberdeen Branch from the world renowned military figure artists Peter Hicks Associates. The statuette was in turn donated by HRH to the PRA to be used as the trophy for the Parachute Regimental Association’s National Standard Bearers annual Competition. In his speech to the PRA North Regional members and guests, HRH Prince Charles spoke of his long and happy association with the Parachute Regiment, this being his 25th year as Colonel-in-Chief, the Prince also said that he was immensely proud to have completed his parachute training and having obtained his wings and was proud to be stood here today not only as our Patron and Colonel in-chief but as a qualified Airborne Parachutist. To loud applause he paid tribute to the dedication and service of both regular and TA members of the Parachute Regiment past and present and to the work of the Parachute Regimental Association With participants coming from all over Scotland and Northern Ireland, many arriving only on the day of the parade, there was little time for rehearsal. Nevertheless the entire event progressed smoothly and all involved agreed that it had been a memorable occasion. “What manner of men are these? They are, in fact, men apart – every man an emperor” UTRINQUE PARATUS (Ready For Anything) The First Aberdeen PRA HQ A brief history of where it all started: No 28 Albyn Place wad designed by the world famous and renowned Aberdonian architect Archibald Simpson and was built in 1838. After completion No, 28 Albyn Place was occupied as a Town House by Provost Leslie and later by Sir John and Lady Marnoch. Sir John was surgeon to Queen Victoria and the Royal family when they visited Balmoral. After Sir John Marnoch’s death No 28 became a government food office during the 1939 – 45 wars. No, 28 is a Category “A” Building architecturally unique among the other five Archibald Simpson buildings in Albyn Place – one of the finest streets to be found, anywhere. No 28 Albyn Place has been the home of the Aberdeen Concretive club since August 1945 and latterly a private club of the same membership under the name of The Albyn Club with out the political affiliation, No 28 are also now the Headquarters of The Aberdeen Branch of The Parachute Regimental Association. |