Arborfield Army Apprentices

from 1965

Over the weekend of the 2/3 February 2002, 17 members of intake 65A Army Apprentices College: Arborfield met up for their first reunion. For some it was the first time they had met since their ‘Passing out Parade’ on the 14th December 1967 - some 34 years 1 month and 19 days later!!

The weekend was spent in the splendid surroundings of the Falcon Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon, a fine 17th century inn and what was clear to all was that although time had aged all, the friendship engendered during those three years spent at Arborfield had not diminished.
 

The weekend commenced with ‘booking in’ at 12:00hrs and reporting to the bar for ‘role call’. It was a good job we had name tags to give a few clues as not many looked anywhere close to the memories held since 1967 - not that is apart from Mike (Peter Pan) Heelis - who doesn’t seem to have aged a bit. We all hate him, of course!!

After a couple of ‘warmers into the bank’ we had an opportunity of looking at various memorabilia bought along for the weekend. There certainly was a lot to look at from various pictures to Sports Day time tables to a video of the actual Passing out Parade - were we really THAT smart?

Mind you Ron Medley (- sorry A/T RSM Medley RG) did look smart!! Shame the College has lost the large bands we had in the 60s - you forget just how many boys there were on parade in those days.

Anyway the afternoon carried on in good Army fashion with plenty of beer and reminiscing until some of the older ones (Colin Rooke - if we recall correctly) had to have a little lay down before diner!!
 

Mike (Peter Pan) Heelis with Squidlles Pilcher looking on!!
 

Two old rugby players - Ron Medley and Aussie Austin
 

The hotel did us really proud with dinner. A private function room in the oldest part of the hotel was made available with the table laid out superbly well. Food and wine was first class, being served by the most attractive serving wenches in Statford!!

Ron Medley was elected President and called upon Mike Heelis to carry out the task of Mr Vice.

Now Mike always did take his duties seriously and this time was no exception - he had written a short grace especially for the occasion- but didn’t get the chance to use it as we all tucked straight into the wonderful grub. Always next year Mike! However he did perform his duties well at the end of dinner when it came to the toasts - one for the Queen and one (of course) for 65A.

Intake 65A Reunion in 2002
 

C Company skivers! - Colin Newby - ‘Albert’ Ross - Ken Bryans. Albert forgot his ‘skizers’!!

Good A Company lads except for Colin Rooke! seen here with Duncan Mason - Bob Leary - Tich Schofield & Jeff Cox
 

Ken Bryans, Jeff Cox, David Read, Mike Heelis, Bob Leary, Tich Schofield
 

Al Provo chatting with Colin Rooke and Dick Croud

Colin Newby, Geoff Dentith & Al Provo waiting for more ........ booze!!
 

...... and so are Colin Rooke, Dick Croud, Ron Medley, Duncan Mason, ‘Albert’ Ross and Squidlles Pilcher
 

Tich Schofield and Aussie Austin have a drink - Eddie Crabtree can’t believe it!
 

Ron Medley, Geoff Dentith, Dunan Mason, Aussie Austin, Mike Heelis, Bob Leary, Al Provo, ‘Albert’ Ross, Eddie Crabtree, Colin Rooke, Squidlles Pilcher, Dick Croud, Jeff Cox, Tich Schofield Ken Bryans and David Read

After dinner we retreated to the bar (there’s a surprise!!). During this time it must be reported there was a most attractive young girl in the bar together with her partner. Now just as soon as the partner had to leave for a call of nature a certain member of 65A (name will remain anonymous - provided I am plied HEAVILY with Chardonnay) started to chat up said girl informing her she possessed the most glamorous chest he had ever seen and could he please take a photograph of same? No sooner was the deed completed than the partner returned - not to be found amused to see some old person of dubious background ‘chatting up’ his girl!! However when he clocked the number of old persons supporting the evil letch he withdrew his complaint!!

True to form the bar staff were kept up until the wee small hours as the group continued with their (apparent) endeavours of drinking the bar dry. One by one people left until the bar staff attempted to call’ Last Orders’ - NO WAY came the reply from the reminding band of (by this time) slightly inebriated ex-apprentices. I don’t think we managed to complete our task but I do know we had relieved the bar of the onerous task of returning quite a number of half bottles to the confines of the shelving!

The following morning saw one or two fragile heads at breakfast as full English nosh was demolished in an attempt to mop up the accesses of the previous night!! At this point a number of ‘Good Byes’ were made as some 36 hour passes were in danger of expiring and the call of D.I.Y etc. was being made by various ‘Commanding Officers’. Those of us left decided a walk around the town would be a good excuse to both prolong the weekend and work off some of the accesses of the previous day!!

Everyone thought the weekend was fantastic and were delighted to meet up with old friends. All wanted to try to do it again next year so the hotel has been booked for the same weekend next year. If you are a member of intake 65A and would like to join your old mates next year contact us here for more information.

Those attending this year’s reunion were

A Company - David Read - Duncan Mason - Bob Leary - Jeff Cox - Tich Schofield
B Company - Ron Medley - Colin Rooke - Eddie Crabtree - Dick Croud.
C Company - Aussie Austin - Mike Heelis - Geoff Dentith - Ken Byrant - Squidlles Pilcher - Colin Newby - ‘Albert’ Ross
D Company - Al Provo

Every one enjoyed themselves and found meeting up with old pals good fun. The hotel has been booked again for next year -
so let’s hope it becomes an annual event.
 

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