As one of the newest officers in the 1st Battalion, I was very kindly invited to attend the annual Ogmore Members Dinner, held at the Masonic Hall in Bridgend. The event, organised by Maj (Retd) Alan Denman MVO MBE, provides a chance for former Welsh Guardsmen to remain in contact once they have left the Army.
The dinner was attended by around forty members and their partners as well as honorary guest, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Cherie Jones. The aim of dinners such as these is to bring together former members of the Welsh Guards from the local area in order to celebrate their time served and catch up with old friends. The association also provides support for those leaving the Regiment in their transition into the civilian world. With so many members having had a variety of successful careers after the Army the association is an incredibly useful network for those that might need assistance in settling into civilian life.
Throughout the evening I thoroughly enjoyed getting the chance to meet the members and hear their stories of life in the Welsh Guards in years past. I particularly enjoyed hearing about the tales of mounting guard at the Bank of England, travelling on the London Underground in bearskin and tunic as well as the shenanigans from when the Battalion was based in Germany. It was very reassuring to hear that life in battalion has remained largely the same over the years despite changing faces. Richard Taylor, who was a groom during his time at Battalion, asked how the polo ponies were faring. He looked astounded when I informed him that the Battalion no longer had any, but he was pleased to hear that the polo team is still in existence.
For younger generations, remaining in contact with old friends is easily managed through social media. However, for those that are not so savvy with the Internet, reunion events such as these are vital for keeping those ties to the Welsh Guards alive. Without the efforts of Alan Denman and Mike Jones many ex-Welsh Guardsmen would not be able to remain in contact with old friends and could easily lose touch all together with the Regiment.
It was fantastic to see that the spirit of the Welsh Guards has been very much kept alive by the devoted members of the Ogmore branch.