3rd March 2026.
45 people sat down and 25 linked in via Zoom for the March 2026 branch meeting. This the highest number since branch attendance figures began being monitored 20 years ago. Members were told that the “unofficial” extra parking at the office block opposite the club car park was no longer available due to the block being sold to developers.
The recap of activity included the various veterans’ breakfasts available in and around Poole and the “Portland Spy Ring” presentation in Wareham. The branch secretary confirmed that the presenter had been “recruited” to give the presentation to the branch during 2027.
Forthcoming activity announced was considerable, members were reminded about the RTR sponsored church service & curry lunch held at the Garrison church & WO’s & Sgt’s Mess Bovington on Sunday 22nd March 2026.
It was announced that the guest speaker for the April 2026 branch meeting is Chris Wreford Brown who was Captain of the submarine HMS Conqueror during the Falklands war. The guest speaker is literally the man that sank the General Belgrano! Do you really want to miss the April meeting?
Saturday 25th April is the annual ANZAC Day service at Weymouth.
Tuesday 28th April will see a small Ex Tiger Convoy T4 commemoration at Portland. Monday 25th May 2026 is the US Memorial Day service at Weymouth.
It was announced that a tour of the Royal Navy cemetery at Portland has been arranged for Saturday 20th June 2026. This is a CWGC tour but has been arranged exclusively for our branch. The committee are exploring the possibility of hiring a minibus for this event. Sunday 21st June is the Armed Forces Day parade at Weymouth.
The graveside remembrance service in Lytchett Matravers for L/Cpl David Hopper is confirmed. The Regiment has promised the attendance of a piper, Regimental personnel on ERE at the Armour Centre will be present as will members of the ATU. David Hopper was 2 RTR serving at ATDU when his AFV was involved in a fatal RTA. The service will take place on the 50th anniversary of his death, Tuesday 23rd June 2026.
The branch BBQ will take place on Saturday 8th August 2026.
Members were informed of a weekend visit to Liverpool which would include attendance at the Merseyside branch RTRA meeting on Saturday 26th September 2026. It was explained that this would be completely self-funded by those attending. The plan is to travel by train (railcards) on Friday have 2 nights in Liverpool and return on Monday.
It has been decided to meet in a local restaurant for a meal at the December social. We will see how successful/popular this is before deciding what to do for 2027 onwards.
It was agreed to bring forward the start time for branch meetings. From April 2026 branch meeting will begin at 1930hrs.
With no further business to discuss the meeting closed and the guest speaker was introduced.
David Morgan was an RAF Harrier pilot attached to the Fleet Air Arm in 1982. He had only completed 33% of his Sea Harrier conversion training when Argentina invaded the Falklands.
His conversion training was cancelled, and he found himself in a front-line Sea Harrier Squadron onboard HMS Hermes. David described the non-stop training on the way south, telling us that every single Sea Harrier in existence was onboard either Hermes or Invincible. The reserve Sea Harriers that came down later onboard the Atlantic Conveyer were at this time still in the factory being built!
He told us about the different missions he was involved in including the first attack on Stanley airfield. He described how he flew past the control tower at roof top height “top gun” style. His tail fin was hit by a 35mm AA round, and that piece of tail fin was available to view as it was amongst the memorabilia he brought to the meeting.
His actions trying to help the RM landing craft Foxtrot 4 was of particular interest to the Royal Marines veterans who had turned up to listen, those killed were known to them. David shot down 2 of the 4 Skyhawks attacking the vessel his wingman took out a third.
He also gave a detailed account of shooting down an Argentine helicopter during the conflict.
There was so much more, and I have only scratched the surface, but I cannot list all the interesting information and amazing stories otherwise this write up would resemble a book! It has certainly wetted the appetite and the HMS Conqueror presentation can’t come soon enough.
Fear Naught
