Page 6 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 64

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Airborne Chefs Association Reunion

Somerset and Arnhem 2024 By Chip Walker

For Airborne soldiers, the third
week of September is traditionally
an important time, emotionally,
nostalgically and anyway, it’s a good
reason to meet up with old mates, some
you would have served alongside, some
you would have met since discharging
from the army but all, each and every
one of them, shares a bond. It’s often
described as a brotherhood and perhaps
that is an accurate description, it’s
certainly a relationship which is unlikely
replicated in other branches of the army Left to right: Pete Marshall, Ian Scott, Keith Foster, John Smith, George (Mark) Foreman, Chris Craddock,
or the wider HM Forces. Taff O’Connell, Jim Chalmers and Chip Walker
So why September? Quite simply travelled to join the festivities and pay A large table was set up and adorned
put, the answer is Arnhem. In 1944 this
homage to our fallen comrades. with airborne and ACC regalia, and
crucial battle between lightly equipped
The ACC lost seven soldiers at the drinks flowed easily and regularly.
men of the British Airborne Forces and
Arnhem, six occupy local graves and are As last year, George produced a
the Germans equipped with artillery,
listed with the CWG. magnificent array of assorted Indian
infantry and supported by Panzers,
Of course, not everyone can make dishes and each of us enjoyed it immensely.
forged the reputation of the maroon
the trip to Arnhem and so the Airborne That evening, as a
beret forever. The battle itself has been
Chefs Association hold an opportunity way of thanks, George
written of in many books and perhaps
for our members to meet up, remember was presented with an
more famously, became the subject
those that went before, pull up a original art-work titled,
to huge box-office hits in films such
sandbag, swing a few lamps and enjoy ‘The Maroon Smuggler’
as ‘Thiers is the glory’ and ‘A bridge
each other’s company. by Chip Walker.
too far’.
On Saturday 21st September 2024, Several of our
Ever since 1944, Arnhem itself and
one of our members, George (Mark) members and their partners were
its close neighbour Oesterbeck, have
Forman who is also the owner of accommodated at The Smugglers Inn
become the site of a massive pilgrimage,

the excellent ‘Smugglers Inn’ in Blue in one of their excellent suites. Some
still to this day attracting thousands of
Anchor Bay, Somerset, hosted us for the utilised local B&Bs whilst five of us
paratroopers, both serving and veterans.
second year. camped in caravans, motorhomes, tents
This year saw the 80th anniversary of
Though for varying reasons, our etc in one of the adjacent camp sites.
that great battle and five of our members
numbers were lower than expected, we Great food, great venue and great
had a fantastic time. Our host, his wife company. I’m pleased to report that
and their staff went out of their way to plans are already being made for next
make us not just welcome, but made us year where we hope it’ll be bigger and
feel like honoured guests. better than before.
Smugglers Inn, scene of our latest reunion

Tommy Onions, Jim Love and George Cummings paying
their respect at the grave of one of our fallen soldiers

PAGE 6 SECRETARY@ACCASSOCIATION.ORG | WWW.ACCASSOCIATION.ORG