Wives and Girlfriends Night

On the 21st we held a wives and girlfriends night. S/m David Carlin paid for a buffet which S/m's Anne McKinnon, Anne Cox and Rosemary Palmer organised. S/m Tom Gates supplied a Christmas cake and S/m George Troup donated a Litre of whisky for a Xmas drink. We finally finished the Ukkers competition with S/m Alec Thomas beating S/m Eddie Pollar. The night was a success.

Cadet Presentations

Cadet Presentations On the 20th the committee were invited to attend at TS Queen Elizabeth Cadet unit in Clydebank for their presentation night. At the presentation S/m Kenn McKinnon (Chairman RNA Glasgow) presented a Bosun's Call to one of the cadets and S/m Brian MacKenzie (Chairman Scottish Area) presented our new trophy The Frank Halliday trophy to Midshipman Nadine Daly.

Awareness Stall

On Friday 15th December S/m Brian and myself were in Morrison's store in Auchenlee (Easterhouse) with an awareness stall from 10:00 to 15:30. The day went well with a few enquiries as to where and when we meet. We did a little tin rattling and this was quite successful. All in all a very productive day.

Not Forgotten Xmas Lunch

Twelve of our members were invited to join The Not Forgotten Association in the Marriott Hotel Glasgow for an Xmas Luncheon. We were greeted by our Hostess Rosie Thompson with a sherry reception before going in for lunch. A raffle was held and S/m George Troup won a litre bottle of Grants whisky and S/m David Carlin winning a bottle of wine and a very large box of chocolates. An auction of a Xmas cake was held and our own S/m Thomas Gates made a successful bid of £50. There was music and games IE: Kings and Queens and a favourite song of the season The Twelve Days of Christmas in which all the tables had a part to play, the RNA had 8 maids a milking so you can imagine what we were doing. The RNA gave a donation to the NFA funds.

Royal Hospital for Children's visit

On the 4th December 5 of our members visited the children's hospital to deliver 100 toys and games to the play area staff. We had an enjoyable visit and we swung a few lanterns with the staff who provided a welcome cup of tea/coffee plus some mince pies and biscuits. Our chairman S/m Kenn McKinnon (in his Santa outfit) presented Lorraine Harper with a cheque for £200 for their funds.

SSAFA Lunch

On Friday 17th S/m's Kenn & Anne McKinnon, Anne Cox and Paul Ellis attended the SSAFA Lunch given in Graham House, Whitfield Road, Govan (formally HMS Graham RNR). The day was a great success with a two course lunch and entertainment. Our members had good luck by coming away with many prizes from the tombola.

Remembrance Sunday

Seven of our members attended the Remembrance Parade in George Square on Sunday 12th. There was a very good turnout for this event. S/m Chris Lord paraded the standard and S/m Anne Cox laid the wreath. After the parade we all adjourned to the City Chambers for a civic reception hosted by the Lord Provost Eva Bolander. Some of our members took up the invitation to go to HMS Dalriada for lunch and a few wets.

100 Years old

The City of Glasgow Branch were requested to visit an ex sailor who has reached the grand age of 100 years on 4 November 2017. Alec Collins Ab, served in the RN from 1940 -1945 signing on at Skegness and served on HMS Iona, Arbona, Robina and Drummerboy. After his demob he went back to his trade of tailor until he retired. S/m's Kenneth McKinnon (Chairman) and David Carlin (Treasurer) called at his home where S/m David presented him with a certificate from the branch on achieving a spritely 100 years of undetected crime. He was also presented with a bag of RNA goodies with an invitation to meet the members of the branch on our next meeting.

Garden of Remembrance

The Glasgow Garden of Remembrance was opened in George Square on the 31st by the Lord Provost Eva Bolander. The service was conducted by Reverend Dr Karen K Campbell. Wreaths were laid by the chairman S/m Kenn McKinnon and Captain Chris Smith on behalf of the RNA and RN.

Trafalgar Dinner

TS Queen Elizabeth cadet unit held their first Trafalgar Dinner on the 20th October. S/m George Troup BEM and S/m Rena O'Neil invited members of the branch to join them on this occasion. The night went well with an excellent menu and an HMS Victory cake. Our secretary did a reading to the immortal memory of Nelson and our chairman gave the loyal toast. Well done.

Crossed the Bar

Today at Clydebank Crematorium we said a sad farewell to our Hon Life Vice President Frank Halliday. 18 June 1930 - 5 October 2017 after a short illness. Shipmate Frank was a tireless worker for ALL things naval , and chair of the Glasgow branch for 14 years, shortly after its inception in 1995. Frank will be greatly missed by all shipmates in the branch and by Clyde division "old Hands ", which he was instrumental in setting up.

Retirement

On the 7th September S/ms from our branch committee went to Arrochar to present two of our members, S/m's David and Jannet Cummins with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of Pusser's rum on the occasion of their retirement from their duties as managers of the Arrochar Hotel. They have given the branch very good service over the years on our yearly visit to commemorate Nelson's victory at Trafalgar and even allowed us to perform a few SODS Operas.

BBQ

We held a BBQ at TS Queen Elizabeth cadet unit in Clydebank. As the photo above shows our esteemed secretary at the sacrificial altar preparing the goodies while fortifying himself with a few red wines (as he says it makes the food taste better). We held a raffle and the proceeds were donated to the cadets. All in all a very good night as indicated by the outcome of our chairman and secretary.

AFD Civic Reception

On Saturday 24th 16 of our members were invited to attend an AFD civic reception in Glasgow City Chambers hosted by the Lord Provost Eva Bolander. During the reception the armed forces covenant was signed by the provost and military representatives. A good day catching up with comrades new and old and serving personnel.

AFD Standard Raising

S/m's Brian Mackenzie, Kenn McKinnon, Vic Combes and Eddy Pollar attended at George Square on the 19th for the raising of the Armed Forces Day Standard. The Lord provost gave a small speech and then we were invited into the City Chambers for some refreshments.

Perth RNA Conference

Perth RNA Conference Six of our members attended the RNA Conference which was held in Perth. The weekend went well with a gala dinner on the Saturday night. On the Sunday the RNA paraded through Perth to St Johns church where a service was held and all RNA members were presented with an RNA Gideons bible this was followed by a march down to the war memorial in the park where Vice Admiral Mcanally thank the Scottish Area for a good weekend and a great Conference, he stated that it surpassed the Liverpool one.

VE Day

On the 27th seven of our members attended the VE memorial service at Knightswood where our standard was on display. Thanks to S/m Brian Mackenzie for carrying the standard.

Quiz Night

We hosted 20 students and instructors at our meeting on the 19th where we had a quiz night run by the students from URNU (University Royal Naval Unit). The teams were a mixture of veterans and students. A great night was had by all.

HMS Glasgow Association Reunion

The HMS Glasgow Association requested our branch to organise a venue for their get together on the 12th. Brian arranged for the RBLS in Knightswood to host the evening in their club. This was also the 35th anniversary of the Falklands War. Ten of our members and guests attended along with 40 from the Glasgow Association. Our association were presented with a plaque and a bottle of very special rum. All in all a very good night was had by all.

Laying up/Dedication of Legion Standard

On Sunday 30th six of our members attended at the Glasgow Cathedral for the laying up of the Legion Standard and dedication of their new Standard. There was a small parade in front of the cathedral which was inspected by Lt General Sir Alistair Irwin. The service was conducted by The Reverend Dr L Whitley.

Fish and Chip Night

On Saturday we held a Fish and Chip Night at TS Queen Elizabeth cadet unit in Clydebank. The evening went well with all of our members and guests enjoying a very good meal. we ended the night with a few singing gingers and a sing song. Many thanks to Rena And George.

S/m Anne's Birthday

On the 21st of April it was our dear Anne Cox's birthday (not saying how old she is) but as most of you who have met her will realise the importance of the small gift we gave her. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE.

K13 Centenary Commemoration

All the Photographs are copyright of Kenneth McKinnon. On 28 January our standard was on display at the Centenary Commemoration of the tragic lose of life on board the submarine K13 which sank on 29th January 1917. Admiral of the Fleet the Lord Boyce KG GCB OBE DL laid a wreath. The service was conducted by The Reverend Paul Jupp, Honorary Chaplain to the Submariners Association.

TS Queen Elizabeth Cadets

The cadet unit at Clydebank invited some of our members to a Christmas Dinner at their unit on Friday 15th December. The meal was excellent and the evening went well with a few singing gingers flowing.

Wives and Girlfriends Night

At our monthly meeting in December we had a wives and girlfriends night. The evening went extremely well with a splice the main brace provided by S/m Nat Millar. Thank you to the two Annes for providing the buffet which went down well. We look forward to doing this again.