LAST year more than 300 ex-soldiers, who served with the old Dorset Regiment in Austria, Hong Kong and Minden, Germany, between 1950 and 1959, were reunited in an annual gathering in Dorchester.
The Dorset town?s Territorial Army centre will be the venue yet again for this year?s reunion on Saturday July 17 for regimental colleagues from the period ? both Regulars and National Service personnel who will be meeting up to swap memories and take part in a parade and service.
As an ex-Dorset soldier with the Medium Machine Gun Platoon, Support Company, 1st Battalion, I am appealing to all ex-Dorsets from Devon to support the event. Last year?s reunion was the first time any of us had met up for over 50 years.
I am keen to hear from anyone else who served in the regiment during the 1950s to come along in July as well.
So far, we contacted an additional 30 ex-Dorsets last year and this year we are hoping to contact a great deal more.
In particular, I appeal to ex-National Service personnel, who joined up at the Wessex Brigade Depot, Exeter (Wyvern Barracks) in July 1952, Draft No: 52-13 to please contact me.
Anyone interested in attending the reunion can find out more information by contacting me, John Curl, on Exmouth 01395 272096 or Geoff Eavis in Gillingham, Dorset on 01747 823162.