7th April 2026.
The March 2026 branch meeting set a new attendance record; we had 45 people sat down in the venue with 26 linked in via Zoom. That record lasted for just one month, because for April 2026 we had 60 people sat down with another 31 linked in via Zoom.
It is true that there were quite a few non RTR people present, understandable because it’s not often your guest speaker is a submarine Captain, rarer still a submarine Captain who has sunk an enemy warship in a combat environment. So, there were special circumstances for the high attendance figure but 60 people sat down is still 60 people sat down. What is pleasing is the number of new people who are making repeated appearances at our branch meetings.
A minute’s silence was held for Harry O’Dell a branch member who recently passed away in Poole hospital age 80. We also noted the passing of an RTR veteran who was not a branch member, Steve “Webby” Webster ex 1 RTR who was known to all the 1 RTR veterans in the room and on Zoom.
RECAP OF ACTIVITY. This included the RTR sponsored church service and curry lunch at Bovington, and a presentation to Parkstone ACF on the history of the Tank, this was carried out by Dave Larcombe and Brian Jones. We also noted that Dave Larcombe was at Windsor Castle in March 2026 receiving his MBE from the Prince of Wales.
FORTHCOMING ACTIVITY. We mentioned the annual ANZAC Day service in Weymouth on Saturday 25th April 2026. The branch secretary highlighted that it was a Saturday and that Weymouth might be a good location for a Saturday trip out, maybe even a good day for branch polo shirts to be given an outing? The branch standard would be paraded and a wreath laid at the ANZAC memorial. It was explained that the ANZAC service would be completed in plenty of time for those needing a TV and bar for the FA Cup semi-final in the afternoon.
Members were reminded that we will be laying a wreath in Portland on Tuesday 28th April 2026 to remember the those lost in Lyme Bay and brought ashore in Portland during the Exercise Tiger disaster prior to D Day in 1944. The Mayor of Portland will also be laying a wreath and branch members were invited to attend.
The guest speaker for May 2026 was announced. Alan “Chippy” Wood ex 17/21L will give his “Cold War Tank Soldiers” presentation. This will be a trip down memory lane for anyone who served in the RAC during the cold war. For those on Zoom? It was recommended that Herforder Pils or similar (available online from Beers of Europe) might prove to be suitable refreshment for this presentation, simply to add to the atmosphere!
It was confirmed that a branch visit to DSG (formerly 18 Command/Base Workshop) at Bovington has been arranged for Friday 15th May 2026. This site is where military vehicles are stripped right down, fully refurbished/rebuilt, and then put back into service. There are limits on numbers, but we have secured agreement on additional visits to ensure everyone who wants to attend will have the chance. The branch secretary clearly has his priorities in the right place; he confirmed that he will contact Poppies Café at Bovington to arrange an early opening on 15th May to ensure there is enough time for everyone to enjoy the obligatory “fat boys’ breakfast” before the visit begins.
The branch will shortly begin taking names of those who want to attend the CWGC tour of Portland RN cemetery on Saturday 20th June 2026. This tour is exclusively for our branch. We will be hiring a minibus for this trip and plan to stop off for tea/coffee (bacon sarnies) at the veteran’s hub in Portland after the tour has completed.
It was announced that Southbourne (a part of Bournemouth) is holding an Armed Forces Day parade on 27th June 2026. Members were invited to join the Chairman & Secretary in attending this event. The committee feel that as we are the BOURNEMOUTH & Poole branch it is important that we are represented on the day.
It was announced that our meetings venue has changed its name and is now known as “Club BH15”
The secretary informed everyone that it has been brought to his attention that a few raffle prizes won at branch meetings were “out of date” and so asked that unwanted food and drink which is passed its “best before” date is not donated to the raffle.
It was decided (well there were no objections) that the location of the December meal should be the Sweet Home Inn on Ringwood Road. We have had good reports regarding the food there and it is the location of a popular veteran’s breakfast, so it would allow us to give something back.
David Willey the former curator of Bovington Tank Museum is writing a piece on the late General Richard “Dickie” Lawson and has asked if any of the veterans of that era have any stories they can pass on regarding General Lawson.
With no further business to discuss the meeting closed and the guest speaker was introduced.
Captain Chris Wreford-Brown DSO RN (Retd) commanded HM Submarine “Conqueror” during the Falklands War and is literally the man that sank the General Belgrano.
He gave a superb presentation, not just on Conqueror but the whole submarine flotilla that operated in the South Atlantic. He told us about what went right, what went wrong, the problems encountered due to the weather, the political decisions, the changing rules of engagements, the weapons used, the extra burden of taking SBS down to the South Atlantic and transferring them to HMS Plymouth at South Georgia. There is a lot I can’t disclose but here are a few snippets, they did a close submerged periscope recce of Stanley harbour and informed HQ at Northwood that the Argentines were laying mines in the harbour. Northwood told him Argentina does not have a mine laying capability! Then they got back to him and said they do have a mine laying capability and that the mines were manufactured in the UK.
He went into detail about how poor communications were a problem (bad weather had damaged the mast), the amount of time at periscope depth and how good the sonar conditions were. He described in detail the attack on the Belgrano and we even heard an audio playback of the torpedoes launching and hitting the target. It was his decision as Captain not to engage the warships taking part in rescue operations following the sinking.
The presentation was informative, it was witty, it was well prepared and very well received by the captivated audience. The Chairman and secretary are still buzzing after such a successful branch meeting. Chris himself was surprised to discover that our own Terry Pearce is a former submariner. Photo 3 shows them communicating in a foreign tongue!
Fear Naught
