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ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER                                                                                                                                                                           ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

          The Last Post                                                                                                       ACC Association BBQ



                                                                                                                              Friday 14th July 2023. By Eric Lewis

                                                                                                                              Less the curry lunch that follows the
         Despite worsening,  Tony was stoically  Corps initially as a Chef. On the 5th of  once categorised reservists as being   Cenotaph parade, it has been many
         determined to get the most out of life,  April 1993 the Army Catering Corps  “twice  the  citizen”  and  that  comment   years since we have had an ‘all ranks’
         notwithstanding the terrible blow of  was merged into the Royal Logistics  certainly holds true for Tony, like many   gathering and was heartened to
         the recent loss of his eyesight and the  Corps (RLC), where he continued to  other Reservists who made and continue   see so many attend the Association
         continued pain he endured with so  serve for a total length of thirteen years  to make an extraordinary commitment   BBQ held Friday 14th July 20023
         much courage. He worked hard to cope  and attaining the rank of Sergeant.   to our combined international security   at the  Village Hotel, Farnborough.                           Awaiting dinner
         with his new life at the Royal Hospital,   During his long-service,  Tony  responsibilities.                         There were just over 90 in attendance,
         aided by his In-Pensioners and friends  worked  with  a  plethora  of  Regiments   Passing                           although  the  majority  attending  lived
         and of course his trusted cane. He was  and Units that requested logistical sup-  Tony sadly passed on the 20th of July   within a 60-mile radius, a few intrepid
         a reminder that joy could be found even  port. He held good memories whilst   2023 aged 68, in the Margaret Thatcher   attendees had made great effort to
         amidst turmoil. For this, we must thank  serving, notably with 3 Commando   Infirmary within the Royal Hospital.     attend the event; it took Ian Matthews
         God for the small mercies he has shown  Brigade Royal Marines on exercises   Following a unique memorial service     and Tony Kaufman close to 7 hours
         over this time.                     within the UK and Norway, the Royal   matching tradition that has been in        to drive down from Lancashire –
                                                                                                                                                                All gathered
         Military career                     Army Veterinary Corps and the Royal   place since 1682, he was thereafter        well down for their perseverance and
         After Tony established himself a civilian  Army Medical Corps in their response   buried  with  his  parents  in  the  ceme-  I thank them for the raffle prizes they
         career, he decided at the age of 27 that  to supporting Chemical, Biological,   tery of St Thomas á Becket Church in   donated. Who said our road system is
         he wanted to give something back to his  Radiological and Nuclear threats.  Warblington, Hampshire.  The Church      fit for purpose?
         country. Conscious that the Falklands   Tony’s civilian career at the time was   and the grounds have remained a place   The event started at 1900 hours
         War had recently ended, he decided to  based around logistics and supply chain   of faith, tranquillity and peace for Tony   with a pre drink (or 2) and the chance                           Pre dinner
         join the Territorial Army. On the 26th of  management; a suitable alignment for   since a child and will mark a meaningful   to meet and greet each other. The event
         October 1982, Tony was attested into the  the Royal Logistics Corps Motto of:
                                                                                 final resting place.                         started in earnest at 1945 hours with a
         British Army within the Army Catering  ‘We Sustain’. Sir  Winston Churchill                                          welcome brief on behalf of the Charman
                                                                                                                              (Lt Col Nigel Shepherd) by the Secretary
                                              ACC/RLC CHEFS KENT. OLD SWEATS ALL RANKS LUNCH 2024                             who was delayed by traffic. Unlike the
                                                                (NOT restricted only to Kent Based Veterans)                  hot summers the remainder of Europe
                                                               13:00 Saturday 31st August 2024                                was enjoying, Farnborough was a deluge
                                                McLeods Restaurant, Medway Road, Mid Kent College,Medway Campus, Gillingham.   of rain which resulted in the BBQ being   Raising a glass
                                                                          Kent. ME7 1FN                                       served inside from chaffing dishes. This
                                                                Only £12:00 PP(Partners very welcome)                         did not detract from the food, which was
                                               Following on from the very successful inaugural event in 2023 we are pleased to confirm    fulfilling, plentiful and enjoyable – the                Nice Shirt
                                            arrangements for our next Kent Event. The McLeods Restaurant at Mid Kent College is once again   usual fayre was served such as burgers,
                                             the venue for this event and will again include lunch and tea or coffee at just £12 per person but   hotdogs, chicken skewers etc, followed
                                                               this time the food will have a German theme!                   by dessert of either  a Banoffee pie or
                                                                                                                              Lemon tart. All In all, a good meal that
                                            We’re having an Oktoberfest in August!                                            all I spoke to enjoyed.
                                                   A fully licenced bar is available at the cafe (card payments only).           The meal was closely followed by
                                                                                                                              the obligatory raffle and of course there
                                               (Please note that as individuals we will have to pay for any pre-luncheon drinks and any   were winner and losers – I being one of
                                                                        additional drinks).
                                                                                                                              the losers. How come I never win the
                                            We will once again be running a raffle with proceeds going to a charity, yet to be decided,   raffle – I am sure I can manage better
                                               along with a pint pot collection. Our previous event in 2023 raised just over £166!
                                                                                                                              next year. The disco started at circa 2100   Welcome
                                             Full payment for the lunch will be required in advance and can be paid by bank transfer.  hours and went on till late – I was glad-
                                                    Email andyspringett@blueyonder.co.uk to book and for details to pay.      dened to see so many take to the floor
                                                     Lunch will be served at 1300 hours, but you are welcome to join everyone    and strut their stuff.
                                                       at the bar from 1230 hours. Dress is casual (Lederhosen acceptable!)      The  Village hotel proved to be a
                                                                                                                              great place to hold  our event, with  a
                                                                  Why not make a weekend of it?
                                                   There is a Travelodge and a Premier Inn within a mile of the McLeods Restaurant.  large function room, our own bar with
                                              If wanted, we can gather for breakfast on the Sunday morning at the café nearby at Fort Amherst.  accommodation that was  VfM and
                                              Perhaps visit some local historical sites: Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham Historic Dockyard,    did not need a bank loan to pay. It is
                                                Fort Amherst, Rochester Castle, Rochester Cathedral, Upnor Castle, or Historic Rochester  planned to hold a similar function next
                                                                  Very many thanks for your support.                          year at this same venue but to change
                                                       Please get back to us with your booking and payment in due course.     the date to September as the July date                                Raffle
                                                        We are on hand to answer any additional questions you may have.                                          Waving the flag
                                                We will be in touch nearer the time with the finer detail. We very much look forward to seeing    is to close to Corps Sunday. Hopefully
                                                                          you all soon.                                       in 2024 we can increase numbers –
                                                                                                                              hopefully we will see you there.
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