| Opening the proceedings Lt Col Mackay explained that he had been asked to take the chair in the absence of Capt. Howard Walters who was not able to come. In reviewing the past year, he mentioned the death of Maj. Phil Watkin (2SLI), who is sadly missed. He though that Hukm would have been well pleased by the good turnout at the lunch, and he thanked Harold Bromley for choosing the new location so successfully. Grace was spoken by the Rev. Joanne Rees. After lunch was taken Lt. Col Mackay gave a special welcome to Janet Hookway and the Gillespies’ family with grandson. He mentioned that Alexander Dudley was now commissioned after Sandhurt into the Royal Artillery [grandson R. Cent] and was pleased to see Mr. William Cook [grandson Maj. Ewart 1 [SLI]. Unfortunately Daniel Marsden was indisposed, but he was pleased that Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Mackay had made the journey from Edinburgh. The new Membership Rules had produced several new full members, and he thought that Hukm’s stricture to Hector not to let the Association die was being amply fulfilled. The new committee gained strength from Hugh’s links with India, Harold Bromley’s lunch expertise, and the News Letters had continued. Hugh Mackay intended to continue Hukm’s links with India and said he would be going to the February Reunion. An interesting development was that the Regiment was intending to create an Internet Web Site which would greatly extend the communication possibilities with the Association. The Coffee Table Book had now appeared, a splendid production. Lt John Dudley thanked Lt Col Mackay for taking the chair in Howard Walter’s absence. A new Veteran’s Badge was now being issued by the Ministry of Defence to those serving in the Armed Forces between Sept 1939 and Sept 1945. the Veterans Agency (Tel: 0800 169 2277) will accept applications. The Newsletter depends on contributions, at the moment the cupboard was bare. Capt Harold Bromley said he hoped the company would agree that the time he had spent on reconnaissance inspecting venues for lunch was not wasted. The flags were flying in Hungerford which had a very interesting history. Capt Hector Routley made his report on the Association finances. He mentioned a very generous total of £450 in donations received. Nevertheless he made a hardly veiled threat about the annual subscription being in line for an increase to £10. He was glad to say many members had been in touch and he was able to relay the following messages from members unable to be with us:
Capt. R.D. Almy (1SLI) sends congratulations to the Association’s Stalwarts who keep the Association and Newsletter in such good shape.
Mrs. Connie Callin (widow Capt. Callin RC) made a large contribution to our funds, asking us to remember Pat at our Reunion lunch.
Lt Col (Retd) Bill Carvalho (1SLI) telephoned to wish us well at the Reunion. He reported a visit to Australia by a senior officer of the Regiment who was sent by the Indian Government to observe the organisation of the Commonwealth Games being held there. Apparently the world’s armies will be holding a four yearly get together for sporting events, the next one to be held in Hyderabad. They are determined to be well prepared and it will include parachute jumping.
 | "Wearing my new Regimental tie at the UN Day (24 October 2006) Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Martin Place Cenotaph in Sydney. This is the 30th year that I have laid a wreath on behalf of 1 SIKH LI to honour those who gave their lives in the service of peace at UNEF, Gaza". |
Capt. D.R. Casselle (25 SLI) After a long silence telephoned to report that he is not yet in good health, but promised to make his best effort to join us at future Reunions.
Mrs. Diana Crookshank (widow of John, the great grandson of Col ACW Crookshank, who raised the 34th Sikh Pioneers in 1887) He (John) had been a keen member of our Association for some years, but died earlier this year. A letter of condolence was sent to Mrs. Crookshank, who replied with her thanks, saying that John was always proud to be a member
Mrs. Wyn Davies (widow 34 SP) is now disabled with a very poor appetite. She regrets deeply that she cannot come and sends her best wishes.
Capt. E. Heath (RC) sends apologies for absence, but cannot travel far these days.
Lt Col (Retd) F. Mackain-Bremner (nephew 34SP) regrets being unable to come, but will be in France at the time.
Dr. D. Marsden (Author of “Phoenix from the Ashes” sent last minute apologies for his absence because he has the “flu and does not wish to pass it on to us”.
Mrs. R. Nicholson (daughter Lt Col Rickette 1SLI) – a new member who was born in Lahore when Lt Col Ricketts was Commandant of the Regimental Centre at the time of Indian Independence. She regrets that she had her husband Alec will be away on the date but hopes to come next time.
Capt. T. Shiner (2SLI) Sorry he cannot now make the journey. Sends congratulations for the splendid Newsletter which was so interesting. He looks forward to the remainder of Pte. Croghan’s story. He hated the hot summer saying it was strange because he enjoyed it in its proper place in India and Iraq. Sends best wishes for a Happy Reunion.
W/O Julian Thompson sent a letter hoping we are all fit and well and apologises for not being able to attend. He was and will be in old Sikh Pioneer territory. Last year he was on a 6 months tour of Afghanistan, and is there again, this year in Kabul and Kandahar and Helmand provinces, but not emulating the epic march from Kabul to Kandahar, made by the Pioneers under Lord Roberts (in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1889, Hector adds). He expects a possible posting to Iraq, like 2 SLI and Paiforce. He sends us, his very best regards and those of his young son Patrick and hopes to be with us for the 2007 Reunion.
Capt. H. Walters (2 SLI) regrets he and Georgie are fully engaged with their move to Tunbridge Wells where they will be closer to their family, so cannot make it to the Reunion.
Rosemary Enright had sent a message earlier to John explaining that her mother had received her first invitation as a widow to attend a Regimental Reunion in India in January 2006. She would like to send her apologies to the Regiment for not having replied to such kind invitations, but was unable to do so owing to increasing problems with her sight which culminated in two orations. Both she and I (who remember the splendid hospitality at Fatehgarh, when I accompanied my father to Reunions on two occasions) send our very best wishes to the Regiment and all its current officers and JCO’s.
Mrs Bess Watkin (widow 2 SLI) sends her regrets at being unable to come. A telephone message was received at the Bear Hotel from the Maling and Ewart families in New Zealand saying “Deg Teg Fateh’s and our very best wishes from us all in New Zealand.
Mrs. Sue Lacey (widow 2 SLI) has set a message to Hector sending her very best wishes. She says she has just had a total hip replacement, so is not getting about very much, but thankfully she is pain free. She has written subsequently to say how much she enjoyed reading “Soldering with Faith”. | 
