Page 3 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 55

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

the last few months, I will never know. Suffice to
say that we have again lost a number of friends and Where Are
I hope to have done them justice in another lengthy
‘Last Post’ tribute. They Now?
On a more positive note, 2021 marks the
80th Anniversary of the formation of the Army
Catering Corps on 22nd March 1941. I very Junior Tradesman Ray Gardiner – 7th intake – April 1961
much hope we will be ‘back to normal’ next year, I joined the Apprentice’s College in 1961 as a Junior Tradesman in
whatever that may look like, and that we will be B Company, El Alamein Platoon. This was the start of a career lasting
able to commemorate this anniversary as we all 32 years, taking me through the ranks and commissioning before
would wish. Meanwhile, I wish you all the very best retiring in 1994 as a Captain. I wouldn’t
during these most extraordinary and challenging change a thing about my service except for
times, stay safe and well. one; I didn’t keep in contact with any of
the lads that I joined up with. We will all
Christmas gifts for have reached our 75th year by now. Not old,
I know, so there must be some of us who are
our In Pensioners still alive and kicking.
If you would like to reminisce about the
days in H Spider, St Omer Barracks, doing
Throughout the year there are several occasions
Military Training and Education, Cookery
where we meet up with some of our chefs in
Training in the Garages, the College Summer
Scarlet who manage to get out and about but
Camps at Fort Tregantle and trudges over
each year, the ACC Association is invited to the
Dartmoor, please contact me. I am looking
Royal Hospital Chelsea to present Christmas
forward to hearing from you.
gifts to our In Pensioners. Early December
Email me at raymond_gardiner@sky.com
2019 saw Harry Lomas MBE BEM FIH, Head
of Culinary at Wembley Stadium and his team
of Chefs set off for his annual pilgrimage to visit Soyer’s tomb restoration
the In Pensioners. Over the last 20 years Harry
has taken time out of his busy schedule on behalf
of the ACC Association to visit our colleagues Members of the Army Catering Corps with long memories will recall
at Christmas who all are very appreciative of that in 2001 the Corps was asked to assist in the fundraising for the res-
the financial donations and the bags of goodies toration of Monsieur Alexis Soyer’s tomb in Kensal Green Cemetary,
Harry and his team bring down from Wembley West London. This tomb
Stadium and Delaware North. At the time we had suffered from significant
had six In Pensioners who were: Leo Grimes, decay and was no longer
David Thomson, Alan Thubron, Stan Atkinson, a fitting memorial to both
Thomas Holroyd and Graham Smith. It is a the most celebrated Chef in
great opportunity to chew over old times and to Victorian Britain and the
find out how they are doing in the hospital that man who reformed Army
look after them so well, together with the other catering in the Crimean War
arms and regiments making their visit. We (1853-56). Aided by sig-
chefs always receive a good reception and they nificant contributions from
are always very pleased that we still keep in con- both individual members, the
tact and that they are not forgotten. Army Catering Corps and
The Royal Logistic Corps, on
Editor: Thanks to Harry Lomas for this item.
30th March 2009 the restored
tomb was rededicated in
the presence of serving and
retired military caterers, the
French Ambassador and
Monsieur Raymond Blanc.
Members will be reassured to
learn that following a recent
visit on 19th October 2019
the tomb is weathering well
and is still a fitting tribute to Monsieur Alexis Soyer and his wife Emma.
For those with time to spare, a visit to their tomb is well worth the trek
from Paddington Station.
ACC Association members at the Royal Hospital Chelsea last December Nigel Shepherd – Chairman ACC Association

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