THE CITY OF LONDON SAYS "THANKYOU" The Lord Mayor of London held a Reception at the Historic Guildhall on Thursday 19th April 2018 To pay Tribute to the RAF and to celebrate their 100 years Anniversary Two members represented the ROCA Link here |
BELFAST GROUP CELEBRATE WITH THE RAF 31 GROUP BELFAST were invited to take part in a Service to commemorate the RAF's 100th Anniversary on the 29th April 2018 Read Paddy Malones write up here |
NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM
ANNUAL GATHERING 2018 This years annual gathering at Alrewas was changed to co-incide with the RAFA's planed event to celebrate the RAF's 100th Anniversary. It was a splendid occasion Photo gallery here |
SEABORNE MEMBER AWARDED FRENCH LEGION OF HONOUR
Some 73 years after D-Day Donald March is presented with his award for his service on board SS Jim Bridger. Read his story here |
NATIONAL REUNION 2018
This years National Reunion will be held again at the PALACE HOTEL BUXTON Dates: From Friday October 12th to Sunday October 14th Full details and Booking Forms are available via your Group Secretary now. Go to National News page |
THE ROC BENEVOLENT FUND now part of the RAF Benevolent Fund
A ceremony was held at Bentley Priory on the 1st November 2017 when the ROC Benevolent Fund was fully integrated into the RAF Benevolent Fund. This will enhance the administration and processing of claims. Pictures of the attendees Link here For more details go to the RAFBF site link here. Press release link here ________________________________________________________ |
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OBITUARY: HUGH DORAN AYR GROUP
Former Chief Observer at Alexander post in 25 Group Ayr, Hugh passed away on the 14th of December 2017 after losing his battle with cancer. He will be remembered with fondness by all who knew him. Read the tribute from his Group here |
OBITUARY: JON LAYNE COVENTRY GROUP
Former Group Officer in Coventry Group ROC, Obs / Lt Jon Layne passed away on Saturday February 17th. 2018. John was Secretary at the Ashbourne Section Coventry ROCA. His Funeral will take place at Saint Helens Church Snelston on the 20th March at 11.00 a.m. More details here |
OBITUARY JIM FRASER Former Obs/Lt 30 Group Inverness.
Passed away in November 2017 Read his Obituary here |
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OBITUARY PETER BARRINGTON Ex 14 Group ROC Peter was granted Honorary membership after 30 plus years service both as spare time and full time. Read his story
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OBITUARY ROBERT WRIGHT of 25 Group Ayr
Robert passed away in Inverclyde Hospital in Greenock on 18th December 2017 after a brave fight against cancer. His funeral service was conducted by Rev Ian Benzie on 27/12/17 Read his story here |
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JACK KELWAY's NEW HEADSTONE The grave of the only member of the Royal Observer Corps killed whist on duty, in the UK, during WW2 has been given a new headstone. After many years of research and consultation the project has been concluded.
Read the full story here |
SHREWSBURY GROUPS OLDEST MEMBER
DIES AT 105 Chief Observer Dickie Price who served in the ROC during WW2 has passed away at the age of 105. His funeral was held on November 7th. 2017 Read his story here |
National Armed Forces Day 2017
This year the National Heritage Team traveled north to Liverpool to put on their display. They were joined by Elaine Norris, (Chair 21 Group Preston) and some of her volunteers. Report by John Shere and photographs here |
VERYAN BUNKERS OPEN DAYS 2018 Lawrence Holmes has secured the 2018 dates for the Open days with National Trust. The Veryan ROC Post will be open together with the Decoy Command Bunker Link here for more details |
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NATIONAL CHAIRMAN - JOHN SHARPE MBE John has been awarded the MBE in the 2017 New Years Honours List. The listing in the Daily Telegraph reads:- "John Sharpe National Chair, Royal Observer Corps Association. For voluntary service to the Children's Hearings System in Scotland and the Royal Observer Corps." Well done John a well deserved award. |
Remembrance 2017 On the 11th & 12th of November the country gathered to remember the fallen in all conflicts this country has participated in. The ROCA was no exception. For a report and photos from the Cenotaph, including a short video of the ROCA column, and contributions from other Groups follow this link |
Last Autumn, Jenny Major carried out a full survey of the progress of the Group Trees, within the Royal Observer Grove. At the National Memorial Arboretum. She presented it to the National Reunion at Buxton in October.
To enable Groups a chance to see the condition of their individual trees, we have published a separate page with the survey and images. Link Here |
NEW:- DRESS CODE FOR PARADES
After a very lively debate at the 2016 Annual Delegates Meeting it was felt necessary to repeat the instructions for formal parades issued in 2012 The National Committee are carrying out a Survey of Dress Codes. See Secretary's Snippets for February 2017 Go to National News page for more details. Current dress code Link here |
WHO's WHO on the ROCA Heritage Team
Want to know who does what etc. on our Heritage Team? National Heritage Officer - Edwina Holden MBE - has updated the team list which outlines the various duties of the team members. They all put in an enormous amount of time and effort to ensure that the public are made aware of the history and achievements of the Corps covering the 70 years of its existence. Note website address: www.roc-heritage.co.uk Click here for team details |
ROCA POLO SHIRTS AND FLEECES AVAILABLE NOW!
A range of monogrammed polo shirts and fleeces are available from the National Secretary Jenny Morris. Click here for details |
NEW LAPEL BADGE AVAILABLE
A Poppy themed lapel badge featuring the ROC Crest is proving popular with members. National Secretary Jenny Morris has procured a supply and is offering them at £10 each which includes Postage and Packaging & a small donation to Association Funds. Go to Organisation - National page for Jenny's telephone or e-mail contact details |
IMPORTANT STATEMENT FROM THE HERITAGE TEAM If you are involved with memorabilia, collections or ROC Restoration projects please read this:- Click here |
 Photo by Edwina Holden
Sunday April 2nd 2017 St Clement Danes - London ROCA members at the Annual Service to Commemorate the 99th Anniversary of the Founding of the RAF in 1918 The ROCA National Standard was carried by Rosemary Ward of Oxford Group, with the 20 Group Standard carried by Tim Kitchen |
The BENTLEY PRIORY MUSEUM is open to the Public.
Open Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays Opening Hours: 10:00 -17:00 (Last admission 16:00) Entry Charges: £9 for adults / £7 for concessions / £5 for children (under 5s free) Refreshments available: Free Parking in museum. Address: Mansion House Drive, Stanmore. Sat Nav postcode – HA7 3HT. For more information see our website www.bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk or call 0208 950 5526 |
Site Editors Notes:-
OBITUARIES Obituaries are initially posted on the Home Page for a short period. Afterwards they are transferred permanently to the Remembrance page listings. Dated 31st December 2017 Link here
My E-MAIL ADDRESS:- To help me with site administration please use my btinternet.com address shown below for all messages.
The outlook.com address shown on the Membership Enquiry form is used exclusively for enrolment enquiries.
ROCA ORIGINAL WEBSITE I am pleased to tell you that Roy McDowells daughter has agreed to continue to provide access to the original rocassoc site set up in 2001. Roy left instructions for her to do this so that the site will continue to be a valuable source of past news and events. However please note that it is no longer updated.
ADMIN ASSISTANT Tim Kitching of 20 Group York has been appointed Admin Assistant
Go to National Organisation page for details
ASSISTANT WEB EDITOR Keith Arnold of 7 Group Bedford has been Appointed Assistant Web Editor
Go to National Organisation page for details
Searching for former ROC members records:-
The ROC Museum in Winchester is the custodian of the old record cards from the MOD. Not all ROC Group's records were kept after the Stand Down, but quite a lot were saved.
For the Application Form and details of how to send it Click Here
Recruiting new members:-
The on-line submission form, for potential new members, has proved to be worth while (See panel below). If you receive an enquiry form in this way please ensure that any response is followed up promptly.
Always keep the National Membership Secretary up to date when new members join.
Send details to:- Norman Hart tel: 01773 431178 email:- arroca04@gmail.com
Special Call to All Ex-Members of 17 Group:-
North Wales need your help to boost their membership. If you would like more information on their activities please contact Michael Shinton at roca17nwa@gmail.com
MONTHLY REPORT: - For MAY 2018 We had 2046 site Visitors
Enrolment enquiries via the website now stands at 325 Updated 29th May 2018
GROUP NEWSLETTERS are copyright to the publishing Group. Always ask permission before copying any pictures or text for publishing elsewhere. I'm always on the lookout for new stories and news items for the website. If you have anything you wish to share please let me know.
Please note: Older editions of Group Newsletters are no longer available on the old rocassoc.org.uk website.
Website Editor Michael Marks: michael8marks@btinternet.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My E-MAIL ADDRESS:- To help me with site administration please use my btinternet.com address shown below for all messages.
The outlook.com address shown on the Membership Enquiry form is used exclusively for enrolment enquiries.
ROCA ORIGINAL WEBSITE I am pleased to tell you that Roy McDowells daughter has agreed to continue to provide access to the original rocassoc site set up in 2001. Roy left instructions for her to do this so that the site will continue to be a valuable source of past news and events. However please note that it is no longer updated.
ADMIN ASSISTANT Tim Kitching of 20 Group York has been appointed Admin Assistant
Go to National Organisation page for details
ASSISTANT WEB EDITOR Keith Arnold of 7 Group Bedford has been Appointed Assistant Web Editor
Go to National Organisation page for details
Searching for former ROC members records:-
The ROC Museum in Winchester is the custodian of the old record cards from the MOD. Not all ROC Group's records were kept after the Stand Down, but quite a lot were saved.
For the Application Form and details of how to send it Click Here
Recruiting new members:-
The on-line submission form, for potential new members, has proved to be worth while (See panel below). If you receive an enquiry form in this way please ensure that any response is followed up promptly.
Always keep the National Membership Secretary up to date when new members join.
Send details to:- Norman Hart tel: 01773 431178 email:- arroca04@gmail.com
Special Call to All Ex-Members of 17 Group:-
North Wales need your help to boost their membership. If you would like more information on their activities please contact Michael Shinton at roca17nwa@gmail.com
MONTHLY REPORT: - For MAY 2018 We had 2046 site Visitors
Enrolment enquiries via the website now stands at 325 Updated 29th May 2018
GROUP NEWSLETTERS are copyright to the publishing Group. Always ask permission before copying any pictures or text for publishing elsewhere. I'm always on the lookout for new stories and news items for the website. If you have anything you wish to share please let me know.
Please note: Older editions of Group Newsletters are no longer available on the old rocassoc.org.uk website.
Website Editor Michael Marks: michael8marks@btinternet.com
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Ma
QUICK LINKS:-
Remembrance 2017 Link Here
National secretary's Snippets November 2017 Go to National News page
ROC BENEVOLENT FUND now integrated into the RAF BF Link here
National Armed Forces Day - Liverpool - 24th June 2017 Link Here
31st Allied Air Forces Memorial Day - Elvington September 2016 Link Here
Battle Of Britain Commemoration Services Link Here
National Armed Forces Day - 2016 Link Here
Capel le Ferne Battle of Britain Memorial Parade 2016 Link here
The Patrons Lunch Sunday 12th June on the Mall Link here
Battle of Britain flypast -2015 Go to Links page
Our Sovereigns Banner The Laying Up Service in St Clement Danes link here
Our Sovereigns Banner Lodging out at RAF Cranwell link here
31 Group Belfast - Parade of New Standard Battle Of Britain Parade ALDERGROVE 25th September 2015 Click here
28 Group Dedicate their new Group Standard link here
ARMED FORCES DAY Parade 2015 GUILDFORD Link here
OBITUARIES A new dedicated page has been set up Link here
2014 A Year to Remember The Great War - The Poppies at the Tower - the Cenotaph Parade Click here
31 Group Belfast - NEW STANDARD Dedication Service 4th October 2014 Click here
SHETLANDS ROC POSTS Look & Listen to ex members stories of yesteryear: Link here http://www.coldwarprojects.com/
Latest Snippets from the National Secretary Go to National News page.
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Recently Published:-
Jun 13th 31 Group Belfast Group Committee meeting minutes May 2018 Go to group News page
Jun 12th 25 Group Ayr Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to Group News page
Jun 01st 07 Group Bedford Newsletter March 2018 Go to Group News page
Jun 01st 12 Group Bristol Newsletter June 2018 Go to Group News page
May 16th 09 Group Yeovil Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
May 09th 20 Group York Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group news page
Apr 17th 24 Group Edinburgh Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News Page
Apr 16th 01 Group Maidstone Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Apr 12th 21 Group Preston Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Apr 09th 14 Group Winchester Newsletter April 2019 Go to Group News page
Mar 29th 03 Group Oxford Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Mar 21st 06 Group Norwich Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News Page
Mar 21st 10 Group Exeter Newsletter Mar/April 2018 Go to Group News Page
Mar 07th 15 Group Lincoln Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Mar 07th 08 Group Coventry Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Feb 28th Heritage News February 2018 Go to National News page
Feb 28th National Secs Snippets February 2018 Go to National News page
Feb 2nd 22 Group Carlisle Newsletter Winter 2017 Go to Group news page
Jan 08th 16 Group Shrewsbury Newsletter December 20017 Go to Group News page
Dec 20th 23 Group Durham Newsletter December 2017 Go to Group News page
Sep 27th 04 Group Colchester Newsletter August 2016 Go to Group News Page
NOTE: To find earlier issues of Group Newsletters Go to Group News Page
Earlier published, items can be found on their relevant pages. See 'Site Guide' below for location :-
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QUICK LINKS:-
Remembrance 2017 Link Here
National secretary's Snippets November 2017 Go to National News page
ROC BENEVOLENT FUND now integrated into the RAF BF Link here
National Armed Forces Day - Liverpool - 24th June 2017 Link Here
31st Allied Air Forces Memorial Day - Elvington September 2016 Link Here
Battle Of Britain Commemoration Services Link Here
National Armed Forces Day - 2016 Link Here
Capel le Ferne Battle of Britain Memorial Parade 2016 Link here
The Patrons Lunch Sunday 12th June on the Mall Link here
Battle of Britain flypast -2015 Go to Links page
Our Sovereigns Banner The Laying Up Service in St Clement Danes link here
Our Sovereigns Banner Lodging out at RAF Cranwell link here
31 Group Belfast - Parade of New Standard Battle Of Britain Parade ALDERGROVE 25th September 2015 Click here
28 Group Dedicate their new Group Standard link here
ARMED FORCES DAY Parade 2015 GUILDFORD Link here
OBITUARIES A new dedicated page has been set up Link here
2014 A Year to Remember The Great War - The Poppies at the Tower - the Cenotaph Parade Click here
31 Group Belfast - NEW STANDARD Dedication Service 4th October 2014 Click here
SHETLANDS ROC POSTS Look & Listen to ex members stories of yesteryear: Link here http://www.coldwarprojects.com/
Latest Snippets from the National Secretary Go to National News page.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Recently Published:-
Jun 13th 31 Group Belfast Group Committee meeting minutes May 2018 Go to group News page
Jun 12th 25 Group Ayr Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to Group News page
Jun 01st 07 Group Bedford Newsletter March 2018 Go to Group News page
Jun 01st 12 Group Bristol Newsletter June 2018 Go to Group News page
May 16th 09 Group Yeovil Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
May 09th 20 Group York Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group news page
Apr 17th 24 Group Edinburgh Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News Page
Apr 16th 01 Group Maidstone Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Apr 12th 21 Group Preston Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Apr 09th 14 Group Winchester Newsletter April 2019 Go to Group News page
Mar 29th 03 Group Oxford Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Mar 21st 06 Group Norwich Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News Page
Mar 21st 10 Group Exeter Newsletter Mar/April 2018 Go to Group News Page
Mar 07th 15 Group Lincoln Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Mar 07th 08 Group Coventry Newsletter Spring 2018 Go to Group News page
Feb 28th Heritage News February 2018 Go to National News page
Feb 28th National Secs Snippets February 2018 Go to National News page
Feb 2nd 22 Group Carlisle Newsletter Winter 2017 Go to Group news page
Jan 08th 16 Group Shrewsbury Newsletter December 20017 Go to Group News page
Dec 20th 23 Group Durham Newsletter December 2017 Go to Group News page
Sep 27th 04 Group Colchester Newsletter August 2016 Go to Group News Page
NOTE: To find earlier issues of Group Newsletters Go to Group News Page
Earlier published, items can be found on their relevant pages. See 'Site Guide' below for location :-
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2018 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY -
1st April Sunday. St Clement Danes Service to commemorate formation of the RAF -
Tickets - Southern Area.
13th May Sunday. ROC Grove National Arboretum Alrewas Meet from 1200 –
For those members attending the RAFA Service in the morning please liaise with your Group.
30th June Saturday Armed Forces National Parade + ROCA Heritage Display – Llandudno North Wales
13th to15th July Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday. Royal International Air Tattoo Fairford
16th September Sunday. Battle of Britain Service Westminster Abbey – Midland Area
12th to 14th October ~ ROCA 29th National Annual Reunion & ADM ~ Palace Hotel Buxton
8th November Thursday. Field of Remembrance Westminster – Western Area
11th November Sunday. Remembrance Parade Cenotaph
1st April Sunday. St Clement Danes Service to commemorate formation of the RAF -
Tickets - Southern Area.
13th May Sunday. ROC Grove National Arboretum Alrewas Meet from 1200 –
For those members attending the RAFA Service in the morning please liaise with your Group.
30th June Saturday Armed Forces National Parade + ROCA Heritage Display – Llandudno North Wales
13th to15th July Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday. Royal International Air Tattoo Fairford
16th September Sunday. Battle of Britain Service Westminster Abbey – Midland Area
12th to 14th October ~ ROCA 29th National Annual Reunion & ADM ~ Palace Hotel Buxton
8th November Thursday. Field of Remembrance Westminster – Western Area
11th November Sunday. Remembrance Parade Cenotaph
For non members:-
Did you serve in the Royal Observer Corps? You can become FULL members of ROCA
Would you like to know more about the ROC Association? Not in the ROC? Applications for ASSOCIATE membership are welcomed
For more details see the Information Sheet and download the Postal Form here
YOU CAN Also Apply on Line click here to access the Application Form.
IMPORTANT: Before completing the on line form please read information sheet first to see membership categories.
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Did you serve in the Royal Observer Corps? You can become FULL members of ROCA
Would you like to know more about the ROC Association? Not in the ROC? Applications for ASSOCIATE membership are welcomed
For more details see the Information Sheet and download the Postal Form here
YOU CAN Also Apply on Line click here to access the Application Form.
IMPORTANT: Before completing the on line form please read information sheet first to see membership categories.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Site guide :-
You may navigate the site from here - click on the blue tab names:-
OPEN PAGES
HOME TAB This page : NATIONAL EVENTS Parades, Reunions, Memorial Services & Dedications etc. : LOCAL EVENTS Group Social events, Parades, Memorial Services, OBITUARIES, Museum Visits, YOU TUBE films. etc: ROCBF Information on the Royal Observer Corps Benevolent Fund and link to their website.:
LINKS A link to the original rocassoc site, the ROC Heritage Team site, and other related sites. PRESIDENT Pen portrait of our President
MEMBERS ONLY PAGES (Password protected)
GROUP NEWSLETTERS Latest news from the Groups. : ORGANISATION Details of the National Committee and Office bearers : GROUP INFO Details of Group Committees and Area Representatives. : NATIONAL NEWS National secretary's Snippets and other news from the National Committee.
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OPEN PAGES
HOME TAB This page : NATIONAL EVENTS Parades, Reunions, Memorial Services & Dedications etc. : LOCAL EVENTS Group Social events, Parades, Memorial Services, OBITUARIES, Museum Visits, YOU TUBE films. etc: ROCBF Information on the Royal Observer Corps Benevolent Fund and link to their website.:
LINKS A link to the original rocassoc site, the ROC Heritage Team site, and other related sites. PRESIDENT Pen portrait of our President
MEMBERS ONLY PAGES (Password protected)
GROUP NEWSLETTERS Latest news from the Groups. : ORGANISATION Details of the National Committee and Office bearers : GROUP INFO Details of Group Committees and Area Representatives. : NATIONAL NEWS National secretary's Snippets and other news from the National Committee.
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REMEMBER
The Royal Observer Corps Benevolent Fund is now incorporated within the RAF Benevolent Fund The fund is still there for those that are in need. It may not be you, but it could be someone that you know.
For more information follow the link to the ROCBF pages using the headings at the top of this page, or the site guide above. |
OUR HERITAGE
It has been 26 years now since the ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS stood down, and 2015 marked the 90th Anniversary since the Corps was founded back in 1925. The ROCA Heritage Committee continues to deal with enquiries from past members, families of members and researchers too. If you haven't yet done so take a look at their website www.roc-heritage.co.uk |