The Farmers Boys - The Dragon Vly

The 2024 annual dinner will be held at Leigh Park Country House Hotel, Bradford–on– Avon, on Friday the 18th October.The hotel has 22 x Standard rooms, 16 x Executive Rooms plus Single occupancy in a standard room. The price includes Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Those wishing to make a weekend of it should confirm their booking first with the dinner club and then contact the hotel directly informing them that you will be attending this year’s dinner and arrange your extra nights. The hotel has promised to maintain our price for your extra nights.

After the success of last year’s event, it is hoped that we will have a good turnout for this year’s dinner so please get your returns in as soon as you can. They have a total of 38 rooms available so once they are gone, we will be at full capacity so it’s important to get your place booked in good time.

Please complete and return the attendance flyer ASAP, a deposit is required by the 30th of June 2024

I/We would like to attend this year’s dinner and book the following:

a. Standard Double @ £ 165.00 x

b. Executive Double @ £185.00 x

c. Single Occupancy, Standard @ £115.00 x

d. Dinner Only Option @ £45.00 per head x

Please send your return, with your menu choices to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or post to:

Brandywine House, Walton Road, Wisbech, PE14 7AF

Please make the payment to:

BAC’s to: The Sergeants Dinner Club DERR, Account Number: 35718125 Sort Code: 23-05-80

Please use your surname and initial as reference to payment, example: NORTHT.

Cheques to: Mr B Stonard, 7 Coed Galou Close, Llanwern, Wales, NP18 2DH Payable to: THE SERGEANTS DINNER CLUB DERR

MENU OPTIONS

Starters

Homemade Tomato Soup

Classic Prawn Cocktail

Chicken Liver Pate

Mains

Chicken Breast with rich gravy

Roasted Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce

Steak and Ale Pie

All Served with seasonal Veg and Roast Potatoes

Chicken Breast, Chips and Garden Peas

Sweets

Tangy Lemon Cheesecake with fresh cream

Apple Crumble with Custard

Mixed Fruit Cocktail with Vanilla Ice Cream

Local Cheese, Biscuits with Celery and Grapes

Names

Choices

If there is nothing on the menu that suits your dietary requirements

please contact Toby and we will see what can be made available for you. A vegetarian option can be made available for the main course.

Jon Marsh writes that, after an 11 year absence, the DERR Golf Society (The Farmers' Boys) returned to Erlstoke Golf Club near Westbury on 30 and 31 May for their Summer Meeting.  Many thanks to Farren Drury for liaising with the club and negotiating a very competitive rate and to Andy Fontana for organising the prizes.  The format was an informal warm-up on the afternoon of day 1 followed by the competitions for the Regimental Trophies the next day.  Please get in touch via the Association if you would like more information or would like to play in any of our future meetings.  Noting that the “can only win 1 major trophy” rule applies, prizes were won as follows:
 
Medal Nett:
 
o   1st - The Gilson Bowl – John Marsh
o   2nd - The Gamble Cup – Andy Taylor
o   3rd – Paul McLeod
 
Medal Gross:
 
o   1st - The Gilson Trophy – Kev Flay
o   2nd - The Bone Beaker – Dave O’Hara
o   3rd – John Ledgister
 
Stableford Singles:
 
o   1st (19 handicap and below) – The James Cup – Ron Cooke
o   2nd (19 handicap and below) – The Shorncliffe Cup – Steve McIntyre.
o   3rd (19 handicap and below) – Farren Drury
 
o    1st (20 handicap and above) – The Education Cup – Paul McLeod
o   2nd (20 handicap and above) – Norman Minty
o   3rd (20 handicap and above) – Tony Flay
 
Nearest the Pin in 2 (13^th) – Kev Flay
 
Nearest the Pin (7^th) – Arthur Christian
 
Nearest the Pin (15^th) – Andy Taylor who was also the sole 2 spot winner

Family, friends and Old Comrades gathered on 11 June at the Church of All Saints in Sutton Courtenay near Abingdon for the funeral of ex CSgt Miguel Navarro, known as Mike and/or 'Spanish' to his comrades during his service in the 1st Battalion The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire) (1 DERR).

His son, Michael, gave a moving eulogy which not only captured the character of the soldier we all recall but also gave fulsome testimony to the very private, inspirational and loving husband, father and grandfather that was the other side of his life.

Born in 1941, Miguel and his sister lost both parents at a very young age.  Thus Miguel grew up with relatives in Barcelona while his sister was sent to relatives in England.  It was a tough upbringing which was to stand him in good stead in later life.  Joining his sister in Chippenham, in August 1962 at the age of 20 years, he decided to join the British Army.  Colonel Michael Cornwell writes:

“Although the perennial Mortar Platoon member Miguel “Spanish” Navarro joined 1 DERR in Malta in 1963 and after his continuation training joined the Recce Platoon.  During his time in Malta he took part in a couple of major exercises in Libya with the battalion.  On the sporting front he was a losing finalist the the Lightweight Division of the Battalion Boxing Championship.  Boxing at that time was quite strong in the battalion with several of the battalion boxers taking part in Maltese exhibition matches.  Whilst in the Recce Platoon he passed his regimental signaller cadre.  In 1967, whilst with the battalion in its mechanised role in Minden, he passed his Junior NCO Cadre and gained promotion to LCpl, remaining in the Recce Platoon.  In 1968 he became the Battalion Featherweight Boxing Champion.  In 1969 he joined the Mortar Platoon, where he stayed for the remainder of his military career.

In August 1969, with other members of Support Company still remaining in Catterick he become an augmentee to C Company when they were posted to Northern Ireland to reinforce 1st Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (1 QUEENS) stationed in Londonderry; for this six month tour he was attached to 10 Platoon.  The next 8 years saw him progress through the ranks to Sergeant, all the time remaining in the Mortar Platoon.  In 1977 he was posted to become the Mortar Platoon Permanent Staff Instructor (PSI) with 1st Battalion The Wessex Regiment (1 WESSEX), a TA battalion, and was based in Andover.  In 1979 he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct medal and 1980 saw Sgt Navarro return to his old stomping ground of Mortar Platoon 1 DERR.

In 1980, when 1 DERR took part in Exercise Medicine Hat it is alleged the Sgt Navarro was refused service in a Canadian bar because 'they would not serve native Indians' and on a separate occasion he was 'threatened by rough lumberjacks' on the same pretext.  On each occasion his robust response enhanced his tough reputation vouched for by the Mortar Platoon.

In 1981 and 1982, Sgt Navarro was instrumental in the Mortar Platoon winning the Inter Platoon Championship two years running.  In 1983 he was promoted to C/Sgt and became the Mortar Platoon Second in Command.  CSgt Navarro completed his regular service in 1985. On retirement he became the Mess Manager of the Garrison Warrant Officers' and Senior NCO’s messes, at Arborfield and Hermitage."

'Spanish' as he was universally known, will fondly be remembered by his former comrades for his passion for all things to do with the mystique of mortaring, at  which he was widely acknowledged to be a master.  Indeed, Lt Col John Silvester recalls him correcting the staff at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada, demonstrating live mortar fire techniques that became standard procedure for future Battle Group exercises there.

His family remember him as a man of strong character and robust opinion who enjoyed discussing religion and politics, and a talented chef who loved to cook for family and friends.  In retirement he brought the same great enthusiasm and rigour to his hobbies, (sea fishing, breeding canaries, and collecting stamps and coins) that he he had applied to his military career.  Above all, they remember him as a deeply affectionate husband, father and grandfather.  We send our condolence to his wife, Ingrid, who he met and married while with 1 DERR in Minden, West Germany, to his children Michael and Iris, and to his grandchildren.

The photographs below illustrate the location of car parking near to the Church of All Saints in Sutton Courtenay.  As you approach the Church from the South and arrive at the village green, you will see signs indicating right to "The Abbey" and "To The Car Park".  This will take you to the small car park in the second photograph.  The Church is a little further along The Green (photograph 3) and it may be possible to park at The George public house immediately North of the pub (photograph 4).  As a last resort it is possible to park along the B4016, the road through the village as there are no parking restrictions.

For those intending to join the family after the burial, Mr & Mrs Pawlyn (CSgt Navarro's daughter) live at 'Manderlay', 5 Amey Close, Sutton Courtenay, OX14 4LW.  Their home is at the North East corner of the village.  Follow the B4016 North from the Church and then East just beyond the Culham junction.  For anyone not attending the funeral who wishes to send their condolences, this is the address to which they should write.

Steven Bowkett

Secretary
The Rifles and RGBW Regimental Association

Tel: 01367 240531

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Please find below the order of service for the Drumhead service being held at the 65th anniversary reunion

We are sad to inform you of the death of ex CSgt Miguel 'Spanish' Navarro on 21 May 2024.  His funeral will be held on next Tuesday, 11 June at the Church of All Saints, Sutton Courtenay, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4AE at 15:00 hours.  The funeral will be followed by his burial at 16:00 hours.  All mourners, family, friends and old comrades will then be welcome at his daughter Iris' home (10 minutes walk from the Church).

The Church of All Saints is in the centre of Sutton Courtenay village, near the village green.  The village is easily accessed from the A34 and is close to Didcot GWR main line railway station.  CSgt Navarro's obituary will be published in this month's Association Newsletter in due course.

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Hello
 
 I thought you might be interested in supporting this GoFundMe, https://gofund.me/c79ad77b.

Hello I'm Lisa Micks youngest daughter.

I'm sure I've met some of you,

My dad was one of the funniest well humoured and proud men I ever met.

Right till the end he was laughing and taking the piss !

We looked after each other best we could.

I am having to pay the funeral cost which Im Struggling to do. I don't work anymore as I have an incurable illness in my brain called Functional neurological disorder. My dad has picked me up off the floor and whooped along side me as I get fnd tics. Through this we still laughed !!

Anyway that's why I'm doing this fund raiser , I can go to dwp but it will take 4-5 weeks. I can't stand the thought of my poor dad laying g on a cold slab in the morgue. He deserves more m. I've approached staffa but they told me to got to dwp first.

So I know your probably Struggling to but I'm asking for your help. If you an donate anything I'd be really grateful

I hate to ask I'm proud like my dad he taught me well. Up until 2 yrs ago I always worked till my health took my carrier.

Thank you for reading Lisa x

 
 Even a small donation could help Lisa Taundry reach their fundraising goal. And if you can't make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word.
 
 Thanks for having a look!