On the 28th of September we held our annual dinner at the Union Jack Club in London.
This was an even of changes – it was my first as Chairman of the Reunion Club, and also the first for many years without Pascaline Dagorn or our Patron, Olivier Paz, in attendance. But the dinner was well-attended, with over 60 members of veterans’ families and friends of the 9th, and a group of volunteers from the Merville Battery, and Sylvie Dupont, President of the Merville Battery and Deputy Mayor of Merville-Franceville. It was our first year with Tony Lea and Mike Woodcock no longer serving on the committee (and finally able to enjoy the meal uninterrupted by ceremonial duties!).
Our Chaplain Adrian Teare lead us in thanks for the dinner, and I said a few words as an introduction to my new role. Sylvie also talked of the collaboration between the Club and the Battery, and Colonel John Power talked through some history of the battalion and gave some updates on the Parachute Regiment.
It was an enjoyable evening, and as always lovely to catch up with old friends, and also make some new ones!
Mark Otway
