Guestbook

Thank you John. I have been in touch with Jack Mckee and Tony Gerrish. They are now on the "Staff List" and yes, they will be attending the next reunion. Regards to all.

Thank you John Michael (JM) Would you pass on my details to Ken Kirk, Tom galley Bob Rand and Brian Griffiths. JM, I only live in Maidstone so the former three are just down the road from my location. It would be nice if I can contact the lads to add to my "Staff List" and to get them on the UNIT data base system which John Routledge has set up. Enjoy your trip to Poland John and ride with safty.

Just to let you all know I have not been idle, I have been in contact with a couple of ex 18Amph lads, you might remember, Ken Kirk who now lives in Faversham, Kent most of you will remember him running down to the dock from the top of Stadden Heights for a bet of a woodbine. Another is Tom Galley who lives in Deal Kent, some of you may remember them, WO2 Bob Rand also lives in Ashford Kent. Anyone wanting to contact them can do so though my e-mail address and I will pass on your messages. I am off to Poland for 10 days on the 5th May, riding my 1957 Matchless G9 to a rally, Nice to see more photo's on the site. J/C7 exreme right is a young Bill Ellis. Regards to you all. John (Mick) thats for Ossy.

Thank you for theinformation on the Soldier Magazine. It made good reading. A very nice comment from Bill Boyd. I quote: Instructor Bill Boyd was running courses right up to the final whistle. He discribed "the DUKW as the finest recruiting vehicle the Army had ever had". Yes, we all know it attracked many nice young ladies around the vichicles. Did you marry one. Once again thank you for the direction. It was to read about the final parade and also how 18 Sqn assisted 26 Sqn in Northern Ireland to make it 18/26 Sqn. (Sorry about typos).

TO anyone that is intrested . If you go www. soldier magazine.Then go to Soldier Magazine of the British Army. Click on to flashback.Click onto enter bottom R/h corner. GO to 1971-1975. Then scroll down to 1974/75. You will see a multi-coulered Air balloon . I hope you find it and of intrest.0

Excellent website. Sorry I saw too few of you at the last reunion. Make up for it in 2010!

Just been looking through the newly added photo's, excellent.
It's great that there is a reunion in 2010. Hey Mike, count me in.
See you all then.

Nice site - great photos. Allthough I was with 10Port bringd back many memories. Ron Morris on JR60 was the driver for my wedding car in Singers June 68

Great site and a great reunion. Good to see a lot of faces I remembered.Looking forward to the next one.

Trevor, what a blast from the past, how are you and yours, welcome to the site, drop a line if you get chance.

Bill

just found this site and what a site i remember a few names from 10 port days and the last few years at marchwood such as b boyd pete osboune taylor c easter hoppy hopwood don andrews mike callghan jim marsh d walker cotton

Whats left of it, Happy Easter everyone, real grotty weather in Dorset, great to hear Mike about the reunion in 2010, thanks for the prior notice, I wont be missing this one. Again Ossy thanks for the photos.Bill

Whats left of it, Happy Easter everyone, real grotty weather in Dorset, great to hear Mike about the reunion in 2010, thanks for the prior notice, I wont be missing this one. Again Ossy thanks for the photos.Bill

Happy Easter to one and all, I hope to see you all in 2010 at the next reunion.
John. (Mick) thats for Ossy!!!!

This web site is great. Thanks Geordie. Keep up the good work. For the people who attended the last reunion I have some good news. There will be a reunion in Barnstaple (Fingers Crossed) in October 2010. I am waiting for costings from Devon so I can make a start on the planning. I will of course be looking for a few volunteers to assist me once again. The other bit of news is that the painting which was won by David Flynn is now been given to to his brother, Ozzy Osborne. (A DUKW Driver) Thank you David, a very nice gesture. There were close to 150 people at the last reunion. I am planning early because I am sure this number will increase for this one. Watch the site for more information as I get it. You will receive information by post and if I have your email address then,its down the wire.Lastly, please keep sending information to Geordie so others can keep up to speed. Stay well, and take care.

Came upon this saying from one of Colins many fun mails,
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
MILITARY FRIENDS: Are for life.
never a truer statement, all of my real friends have always been ex/service, most civvies are prepared to to stab you in the back, whilst smiling to your face? Not all though!

John,
Great site and I can only agree with the comments already made about the site, well done. A belated thanks to Mick Ross and those that assisted him in making the reunion a memorable occasion and a outstanding success.

John,
Great site and I can only agree with the comments already made about the site, well done. A belated thanks to Mick Ross and those that assisted him in making the reunion a memorable occasion and a outstanding success.

Living 3 doors down from Pete Osborne means that we can talk about 18 Sqn regularly despite the fact that I was REME attached. I can honestly say that the 2 tours I did at Fremington were the best in my 24 years service and I wish all ex members of all cap badges a happy and prosperous new year.this site brings back memories especially when you look at the photo's and can remember names after all these years

Having been across the pond to the US for a break, may I thank you all for you seasons greetings. For Ray Marshall: thank you for the information on the history of 18 Coy, Fremington Camp and our much loved DUKWs. Your research has given us younger folk knowledge of the passed. Many thanks Ray.

The unnamed in the photo of JR60/ Driving instuctors course is Ron Morris, he was on MT 10 Port Sqn.
It is good to see a lot of familer faces of my time in Singapore.

"Cheers" to you all, have a "Merry Christmas" and a super 2008, heres hoping we can try and meet up again in the future?
best wishes to you and yours, Ossy& Diane.

I'm sorry we didn't make the reunion this year,, looking at the photos we missed out. Myself and Michelle would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and prosperous 2008. I hope all is well with everyone and a special thought to all those not with us anymore.

Happy Christmas to one and all, I hope it will be a very good one and may all your wishes come true (not about the mother in law though) I hope you all celibrate in style and I will raise a glass to your health, wealth, may 2008 be prosperous to you all, best wishes. John (MIck)

On behalf of myself and my wife Barbara may we wish you all a very Merry Xmas and "All you wish yourselves" for the New Year. Have a smashing time and do get drunk if you if you wish.

Just a short note to wish every one who served in the Coy/Sqn a very happy Christmas and healthy new year. They tell me that you can have health or wealth. Rarely together but you can choose.
May you all be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you are gone.

Tiny Cookman

Just a quickie to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year.

I was asked the other evening would I run another "Reunion". The answer to that is yes but in three years time. ( There were a large number of people that could not make the last one). Thats of courseif I am still swing the club. There will be quite a few gallons of water that will pass under the bridge in three years. We have a great web site now, and thanks must go to John Routledge. We need more photographs. I shall be in Wales this April for Exercise "Silver Year" of the WOs and SNCOs Club. See you there if you are attending.

anyone out there know the whereabouts of Johnnie Sharp last heard of in Singapore, then I heard he had settled im Taunton.I lent him a pair of sox in Singapore and would appreciate thier return!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are having problems leaving a message make sure youhave entered the code correctly, the code can be a combination of upper and lower case letters and must be correct case hope this helps . geordie

Geordie lad. Thanks for putting the great photographs on the site and although I could not be there this time, at least I could go through them and recognize nearly all of them, It was especially nice to see Minnie and she doesn't look like she has aged at all, still that gorgious smile with the twinkle in her eye. I promise I will make the next reunion by hook or by crook. What a wonderful job Taffy, Ossy and yourselves put in to make it a great weekend. All the very best to all involved and those who remember me, please feel free to contact me anytime.
John (Mick)

Wasn,t it great, "Our Reunion" nothing will top it, thats for sure! The real and biggest thanks , must go to "Taff" (Mike) and his good lady "Joyce", always in the background, without their effort, it would have been a non starter, and actually a special thanks to all of you for being there, in support!
It brought back many treasured memories, as a lot of water has gone out the" Estuary" over "The Bar", it was also a pleasure to meet some of the originals for the first time, and walk home with them each evening, after one, or was it two?(Beers)
Really looking forward to meeting up with my "Old Pals" yet again sometime in the future, and maybe some of those that couldn,t make it this time, Early Days!
In closing, I do wish to remember those no longer with us, some good mates/muckers along the way, and untill we meet again, cheers to them, and you, ALL!
Ossy.

Thanks Mike for a good weekend, it went off as planed,so you can now go back and enjoy your golf.It was as if the years had been turned back for a lot of the lads and myself.It aws also great to the lads that started it all off.

I would like to thank Mike Ross for his excellent organisation of the reunion on the 20th October 2007. A very nostalgic weekend, thoroughly enjoyed. Would be great if this could be repeated on a regular basis.

Sorry we missed the reunion,it was great to see the photo's, good to see everyone looking so well.
Would love to hear from anyone or see anyone who is visiting this side of the world.

A brilliant weekend! It was really good to see some old friends and make some new ones. I was looking forward to seeing Ian Buckeridge and Tom Haslett again and was not dissapointed, a good time was had by all. My thanks to Mike Ross and his team, A very well organised event. I look forward to the next one. It will be 50 years in 2008 where has the time gone? My Best Wishes to everyone

Great weekend seeing all the lads again the dinner was very good sunday brought back some great memories well done taff and everyone else that organised the event it was very well done thanks

What an absolutely great weekend the Re-union was. It was great to see everyone again. The company was good, the food was excellent and thw "Worthington Ale" was exceptional. A big thanks must go to Mike Ross and his team for the organisation and i'm sorry we could not make it Sunday morning. Take care of yourselves and look forward to the next one.

I had to make a choice this year of attending 18 Sqn reunion or 8 Regt RCT reunion. Both on the same day. I am overjoyed that I selected the right reunion. Meeting so many old mates was enlightening however older, greyer and bigger we all looked. My wife Kate was delighted that every one was so friendly and approachable. Danny Chandler and Colin Proffitt helped to make a great night. I thank those who picked me up when I fell A*** over Tip. I promise I was not the worse for wear - Honest.
To Mike Ross, Ossey Osbourne and the rest of those who helped set it up I say thank you all. Roll on the next one.

WOW,fantastic,great,A really good time meeting
old friends.Some that I had forgotten about and many I remembered.Nice to see them all.
A really fantastic event,Many thanks to Mike and his crew for a well organised re union,brilliant.
Regards to all Bill.

Hello all, Sorry I could not be with you for this event, I had to attend another reunion that I had arranged, unable to get out of it unfortunately, but I will do my best on the next one ,God willing. Nice to see the photo's, I'm sure time must have changed us quite a bit in body, but not in soul. I have only just found the site but found it to be excellent, so I will keep looking. Regards to all. John.

What a weekend. It was great to see so many people enjoying meeting old friends from the passed. Our numbers were outstanding. With best wishes from 20 people (as I read out) I think we may have topped the 170 mark. On this comment I will say once again, thank you to, Ozzy Osbourne, Don Turner, Bob Raistrick for their assistance over the passed year. Also thank Colin Proffitt and Dave Munslow for their in-put. A special thank you to all who attend the reunion. I only hope that you all enjoyed the weekend. A big thank you must go to John (Geordie) Routledge for this site. Looking at 2007 Reunion his work load has increased. May I wish you all a( Nadolig Llawana a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda). Merry Christmas and A very happy new year.

Let me be first to say that reunion was first class. It great to see all the old!!!! faces from the past, I'm sorry that there wasn't some people that wasn't there, but there always another time

Mike, nice to hear from you, also Fletch and Don Andrews, its nice to hear you are still around. Also apologies to Don, I just looked at my previous message and put Ron and not Don, anyway keep writing, it will really get this site going.

I'm sorry Bill that we won't be seeing you, maybe sometime in the not too distant future

I am sorry we won't be able to make the reunion this year, its a pity, I recently met a few old friends at Barry's funeral, really nice to meet Mike, Ray and Ossie, plus Ron I'm sorry but I do remember you know, put it down to old age. For those who remember me, I served with the Sqn from 69 until the end of Amph Troop at Marchwood.Hopefully I will be able to dig those old photos, what littlle time I spent actually at Fremington I have really good memories, some of course are hazy. Anyway sorry we can't be there, have a great time, a really good website, You can always contact me.

Looking at the photo's was great because it brought everything back to life. Somewhere I have pictures of the big exercise in Holland, I hope to find them

I am already in contact a few of the lads. Ishall bring Pen and paper to the reunion. See you all there

I am glad I found out about this site and took time to look through it It has brought back some good memorys I am glad i will be going to the reunion it is going to be great to see everyone again

Hi Wally, the three you remember was all ex/boys, and like me at the same time, were you by chance in Junior Leaders? all the best anyhow for your comments on the site, it is a little special, and all credit to Geordie Roughtledge for arranging it, keep in contact, was only on the phone to Tom other day, and emailing Andy recently, Jock lives locally nearby and often bump into each other, so cheers,Ossy.

Just looked up your site whilst browsing - marvellous - not ex 18 Sqn, just ex RASC. Nice to see a few names I know - Andy Harker, Jock Law and Tom Tulley. Hope the site goes from strength to strength. Good luck

I served with 18 SQN from 1966 with B troop

It is with great sadness that I have been informed of the death of Barry Markley. Our thoughts at this time go out to Jan and family. For those of you who was lucky enough to know him, he was one of the best. We served together as both boy and adult soldiers and he ended up in boys as our Junior Sergeant Major. I dont know if it was a unique situation but at the same time his uncle Tony Simonds was the Adult Sergeant Major. He was truly was one of the best and will not be forgotten. Rest in Peace Barry.

Brings back some good memories

A great trip down memory lane, well done.

Thank you John for the up date on the reunion. Our numbers are growing and it will be good for us all to meet once again. Forty five years is a long time for some of us guys. This is also a test entry John.

test

DUKW 76 YP 41 ( A1 ) Great site with lots of memories to reflect on. Surely this re-union will be a great event., with so many making the return to North Devon.
What a pity we cannot go back to 1960 and start again!
See you soon.

Congrats John on a bril site, many new photos and faces not seen for a long time, hope to see some of them at the Reunion in Oct, see you then , take care, Scouse 'n' Celia.

Hello to all viewers, Taffy Ross looks too young to be driving big stuff at his age! As do you all! The site is very well put together, informative & interesting to the (none army types). Well, done John Routledge, Mike Ross, Peter Osborn & Dave Pedder. I hope this Reunion in particular & the ones to follow, are a great success & are very enjoyable for you all. (Wives included.) Have a great weekend.
From: David M Ross (No.1 Son).

What a great site. Took me back nearly 45 years. It was nice to put faces with long forgotten names. I can only hope that the reunion on the 20th October is as good as it is shaping up to be. Once again. A good site that is befitting of a once exceptional Sqn.

bet we all look different today than back then great photos all the memories look foreward to seeing you all

what a great site i could meet up with all my lost pals

A timely site. Hope for more pictures of old timers!!

Smashing site and brings back many happy memories. Looking forward very much t o the re-union on 20th October. BRING BACK THE DUKWs - They would have been a godsend this year.

great site great memory restorer, aahh happy days.
HERES TAE US
paddlers

would welcome a chat

Great site, thanks John. I shall spread the word so that the site can be built up with more phographs. Looking forward to the reunion in Barnstaple on 20th October.

Great to see 18 Sqn photos, brings back a few memories, only like yesterday, lets hope we have a few more. Looking forward to the reunion on the 20th october 2007!