The 9th Parachute Battalion Reunion Club was first formed by Jon Britton and Ron Banks in 1961. Since that day, the club has been one of the best organised and most active reunion clubs for regiments from the second-world-war era, and is renowned across the military and wider circles for its independence, passion for commemoration, and keeping the memory alive of the achievements of the brave men who served and fought within its ranks.
Back in 1994, Tony Lea and Mike Woodcock took over running the committee, and have done so for three decades – during which time the club has gone from strength to strength. They have worked tirelessly both to maintain good relations with our French friends at Merville, and other groups and organisations – including the Parachute Regiment and the PRA – and under their stewardship the club has continued to grow. Despite the loss of all but one of the 9th Battalion veterans (we salute you, Peter Lovett), the club grows ever stronger, as more and more family members of past veterans find us, and join our 9th Battalion family.
Every year, with assistance from our Secretary Paul Hill, Tony and Mike have organised and run the Normandy pilgrimage, introducing many new faces to the experience (including mine in 2014), sharing their huge knowledge and historical expertise with all who are interested, making each trip a hugely memorable experience for everyone who has had the good fortune to attend. All of this has been done with the best of spirit, humour, professionalism and always with the veterans foremost in their thoughts.
Last month, Tony and Mike took the a difficult and emotional decision to stand down from their positions as Chairman and Treasurer, and resign their duties as committee members. This wasn’t a surprise – they’d both indicated their intention to stand down after the 80th D-Day Anniversary pilgrimage. We will miss their input and contribution – but they leave knowing the Reunion Club is in as good a shape as it ever has been.
And so it is with great honour (and some trepidation) that I can announce that I am taking over as Chairman of the 9th Parachute Battalion Reunion Club – a move of which my grandfather Lt. Col Terence Otway DSO, CO of the 9th Para Battalion, would no doubt be immensely proud. Jill Moore, daughter of the inimitable Gordon Newton, will step up to assist me, in the position of Vice-Chair.
This new role is somewhat daunting, as I feel lacking in the expertise and experience to take it on, but I hope Jill and I can serve the Reunion Club well, and continue to help nurture the growing community of the 9th Battalion’s family and friends – and of course, we will continue to rely on the rest of the committee members: Paul Hill and Tina Hill, Neil Barber and Major Adam Jowett. As part of this committee shake-up we also welcome Martin and Fiona Clode (also of clan Newton) who will take over from Mike Woodcock as our new club treasurers. For personal reasons I am unable to join the club on the annual Normandy Pilgrimages, but Jill and Paul will no doubt represent the committee brilliantly during the annual trips.
There is no doubt that we could do with one or two more committee members to help share the burdens of running the club, so if any of you are interested in contributing please let us know. The workload isn’t too heavy, but it’s always easier to spread the work between more people, given that we all do this voluntarily. We are also open to any ideas or suggestions that club members might have, so if you come up with a brainwave that can improve the club, please let us know!
Lastly, I hope we can continue our strong bond with our French friends in Merville-Franceville and at the Merville Battery. It has been a long and enduring friendship, and their care and support for our Reunion Club over the years has been wonderful, and a huge contribution to the success of Pilgrimages in years gone by. Long may that continue.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the Annual Reunion Dinner at the Union Jack Club on the 28th of September (don’t forget to book!!). It will no doubt be an emotional affair, as well as a nerve-wracking one for Jill and I. Please bear with us as we find our feet in our new roles!
Best wishes,
Mark Otway & Jill Moore
