Sandy marches past during the Sunday Dedication Parade.

Sandy Henderson - IBB/IJLB Forum - 10 June 2009

My Oswestry Memorial Dedication Week

I can only echo what everyone else has said about what a great occasion this past weekend has been. To meet so many people over a period of, for me, 5 days with my wife Janice was one of the best holidays I’ve had recently. I was down for 8 days in my little Caravan in Ellesmere and with the weather that we had from Sunday up to Thursday I had a perfect break leading up to this long anticipated occasion.

It started well on Wednesday as Janice and I watched the Memorial being put into place, Ken joined us for the ‘topping off’. We had our pictures taken by yes the Shropshire Star. A local murder removed that picture from the paper on Wed/Thurs. A coffee at Ken’s (only 15 miles away) was offered and accepted. There we met once again Barbara and Roger and Michelle Bourne. I’m afraid we stayed for dinner and found out that we had taken Ken and Barbara’s, On Thursday we had a rest in anticipation and again joined our friends in Wrexham for a Curry, here we met the famous Pete Short. Thanks for that Roger the meal that is. (You’ll be getting the picture by now ).
Friday I dressed for Golf and found the ‘team’ in Gobowen ready to get going. It was great to see Bob Towns again. Pete, Hammy, Brian and the gang and I finally met Karen, we avoided the Thatcher years so it went OK . As promised I saw them off from the first tee taking the photo opportunity offered. I had no clubs, have not played for 24 years so just showed a little support and there was of course the photo opportunity.

Friday Night we joined Ken to set up the hall with table and chair’s. Janice and Roger did very well. I had a good go at supervising the table layout but nobody paid me any attention . Met Graham Fowler for the first time. Still trying to find why such a nice chap got a nickname like Foxy. I was approached by a little chap with a NW accent who asked if I was Sandy Henderson. He then claimed that he recognised me from the C Coy Photo of summer 1961. This took a little believing but I had finally met Derrick Thompson, who passed out with me from C Coy in Dec 62. Derrick had provided the photo in the first place. I also met Colin Harwood, Dave Hards, Brian Sadler and Mr Charles Derbyshire. There seemed to be a number who helped with the setting up and Ken very kindly bought us all a drink. He rather spoiled this by continually muttering about why an Argyll would wear Black Watch golf trousers.

Saturday dawned and Janice and I packed up for the move to the hotel. I collected our name tags from Ray and Terry and mingled a bit in the Rugby Club. Met again Les and Rika, Bert and Jesse, Mike Smith, Tony and Pete. Also met Ian Harvie who was not only instrumental in getting me to contact the association through the perseverance of Charlie McGrogan but also persuaded me almost 20 years ago to join the TA. It was great to catch up with names from the forum like John Henderson, Bob Ritchie, Allan Mitchell, and Wobbly. Guys from my time like Norman Setchell, John Sands and Brian Banks. It was here that Derrick Thompson told me that he had never drunk whisky after our passing out night at O’s. Even thought I might have bought it for him. (Not very likely )

Saturday night and in best bib and tucker Janice and I set off for the dinner. Great company with Paul Langridge and his good lady joining us along with Bob Towns and Shirley, Les and Rika and **** **** (dreadfully sorry its an age thing I’m told) Nice meal served up really well. Have never ever seen so much veg in Oswestry in the last 48 years. Wine got better as the night went on. I found a supply . Met Hammy and Bill McHugh who seemed to like the contents of my flasks. So found myself in a Gaggle of Guardsmen and someone even said I could be an honorary Guardsman for the Photo Opportunity. Must have been the whisky.

I have to confess at this time that on removing the name tags from my sporran I made a little mistake. I found out about 2300 that I had been moving about the assembled company with the Name tag Janice Henderson displayed . Did anyone notice?

Later had a blether with a Pride of KOSB’s. One or two of them looked very young.

Late night Janice tells me. I thought I went back to the hotel at about 2300. Seems not. Now let me explain about the wine officer.

Sunday dawned and it was ‘The Event’. Get the ‘Leg dress’ right (All those Highland Critics) Hope the Brogues last out that left double sole look’s like it wants to fall off. Kilt a bit short but it went on. (Breath in …MORE) Only two medals and all those B***ards had hundreds last night. What the hell I’ve got the best Glengarry and Cap Badge and my drill is sh1t hot so let’s go. Weather, who cares. However what the hell were the First of Feet doing with those plastic vests on. No fags so keep in with Ken and Derrick.GSM calls us to fall in. Get in front rank, think Photo Opportunity. GSM very complimentary even before he sees us. Bit of banter. Clapping for a Guards SM what’s happened. Set off a little early. That ‘shun and left turn’ sounded familiar. John Peel. What happened to the March of the Cameron Men or the Thin Red Line. Let’s just do it. Looks good from here. Hundred to the minute, that’s a bit slow we’re not in Chelsea yet. Feels good. Bit of swagger in front but no kilts so no competition. Few people following me. Dusty Smith, ‘Doc’ Fice and Ted Nagal. It’s OK they like it. Bands turned off, let’s get this halt. Step very short. YES. Advance, YES. Stand at ease. Relax. Hymns were too long for me but alls well. Deeds done now just to get back up the hill. Eyes Left seemed to be a long time but it’s going well. Groans from everyone other than the grenadiers as band plays - The British Grenadier up the hill but what the hell every Bn had a Grenadier Company at one time. However they ran out of music to play half way up the hill (These kind of defence cuts are just too stupid). Boom diddi Boom indeed as they tried to get us out of step. Halt - advance – Dismiss – salute endex. We did it very well I thought. Bit of chat, met Dave and Eddy Wilson and then down to see the Monument. Long time to hang out but fags at Sainsbury’s and small refreshment in the now famous Fox and it was of for Curry Lunch. Bit of an anti-climax as we said our goodbyes. I do not think we could really believe it was all over.

Now this may sound strange but these few days were so intense that I may have mixed up some minor details regarding days and people. I missed out Dave and Richard and the fish and chips.

If I missed your name or got it wrong I’m sorry. I regret very much that Dave and Shirley Bradwell did not make it and must wait another while before I see John Campbell. For those who were on my list to catch and did not I hope some time soon.

I just think you were all terrific and although we can never do this again I hope we can have other get togethers that we can enjoy nearly as much.

Take Care

Disclaimer: No drink has been wasted in the preparation of this message