Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Alumni
Saturday 21 November was the day when a number of alumni who had served in the Armed Services reunited at RGS Worcester. It was the first such gathering since 1987. The occasion began with guests taking in the 1st XV’s match on Flagge Meadow, followed by a tour of the School that included the opportunity to shoot on the Perrins Hall rifle range and it was rounded off with a drinks reception and black tie dinner in Perrins Hall.
The School’s Bursar, Commander Ian Roberts, welcomed the former pupils and a number of partners to the recently refurbished Perrins Hall. Current CCF cadets and staff joined the gathering to unite past and present pupils.
The Bursar then introduced the Venerable Ian Wheatley (1975-80) who, as Chaplain to the Fleet, was well placed to offer an engaging Grace composed especially for this RGS occasion. After several hours of noisy reminiscing and old friends reconnecting over good fare, the Loyal Toast was given. The Headmaster then spoke to inform the diners how the School has been progressing in recent times.
Mr Pitt, Headmaster, explained how the CCF remains a valued and vital aspect of an RGS education. More than one hundred pupils currently participate in the CCF and the unique opportunities available to cadets compliment the more traditional aspects of school learning. He added that, with so many unstable regions in the World, the need for our Armed Services personnel to be as well prepared as possible remains paramount.
Digby Wall (1965-70) then recounted some of his memorable experiences as a naval cadet in the CCF to the amusement of the assembled former cadets. The names of certain individuals were conveniently forgotten or omitted during the telling of more incriminating confessions.
Bryan Price (1966-73) summed up his experience of the evening “I really must congratulate the School for an excellent Reunion Dinner on Saturday. I arrived not knowing anyone there, and feeling somewhat in awe (and very small) when walking across the Quad after 30 years away! Within five minutes, I felt that I was ‘home’ and amongst friends. We all shared an ethos and instant camaraderie that (for me) came alive when walking into Perrins Hall.”
There was an even spread of Army and RAF personnel but the Navy shaded the evening in the numbers represented, thereby laying down a challenge to the other Services for the next gathering. Based on the warm praise given by our guests, and the number of apologies received from those who were sadly unable to attend on this occasion, we shall not wait a further 28 years to repeat the event!
Mr Scott MacDonald – Development Manager
