From the EDITORS:-
WE SEND TO YOU ALL OUR SEASONAL GREETINGS AT CHRISTMAS. MAY YOUR GROUPS CONTINUE TO FLOURISH IN THE NEW YEAR |
PRESIDENT's CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION Presented in Exeter Group by Lawrence Holmes on behalf of the President..
Link here for the story |
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NATIONAL SECRETARY's SNIPPETS
Go to National News page (Requires password) |
OBITUARY: GEOFFREY POTT Passed away on 8th September 2018
A long and meritorious service in the RAF and the ROC Link here |
ROC MEDAL BOOK - CORRECTIONS Lawrence Holmes has advised of several corrections to the hard back edition. We are also told that there is a new paperback edition in the pipeline. For more details Link here |
NEW!! SESSIONS CALENDAR FOR 2019
14 Group have produced a commemorative calendar for 2019 featuring those famous Sessions cartoons. All proceeds go towards maintaining the ROC Museum archives. For more details Link here |
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PASSWORD HAS CHANGED: MEMO to all Groups.
Please note that the site password, to the members only pages, has changed Please ensure that it is not published in e-mails or any other open written format. For more information check with your Group Chair / Secretary, NOT the site Editor. |
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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
PLEASE NOTE THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED ON DECEMBER 16th 2018 & RE-OPENS ON JANUARY 21st. 2019
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
PLEASE NOTE THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED ON DECEMBER 16th 2018 & RE-OPENS ON JANUARY 21st. 2019
RAF 100 SERVICE WESTMINSTER ABBEY JULY 2018
Ten members represented the Association in London on the 10th of July. Read Ann Maasz's piece here |
WREXHAM bestows the FREEDOM of the BOROUGH to the RAF in Wales
ROCA members attend the service. Link here |
OBITUARY Peter Longden Former DGC at Lincoln Group passed away on Friday 27th July 2018
Details here OBITUARY Frank Saunston Lincoln Group. Passed away 7th August 2018 Details here |
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THE CITY OF LONDON SAYS "THANK YOU" 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 Malone's 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 |
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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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
IMPORTANT STATEMENT FROM THE HERITAGE TEAM If you are involved with memorabilia, collections or ROC Restoration projects please read this:- Click here |
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 |
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 |
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
EDITORS E-MAIL ADDRESS:- PLEASE NOTE 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.
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
MONTHLY REPORT: - For NOVEMBER We had 1512 site Visitors
Enrolment enquiries via the website now stands at 365 Updated 2nd. December 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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EDITORS E-MAIL ADDRESS:- PLEASE NOTE 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.
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
MONTHLY REPORT: - For NOVEMBER We had 1512 site Visitors
Enrolment enquiries via the website now stands at 365 Updated 2nd. December 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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QUICK LINKS:-
National secretary's Snippets 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
Battle Of Britain Commemoration Services Link Here
National Armed Forces Day - 2016 Link Here
Our Sovereigns Banner The Laying Up Service in St Clement Danes link here
OBITUARIES A new dedicated page has been set up Link here.
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Recently Published:-
Dec 10th 12 Group Bristol Newsletter December 2018 Go to Group News page
Dec 07th 08 Group Coventry Newsletter Winter 2018 Go to Group News page
Dec 06th 21 Group Preston Newsletter December 2018 Go to Group News page
Dec 06th 16 Group Shrewsbury Newsletter December 2018 Go to Group News page
Dec 02nd 01 Group Maidstone Newsletter December 2018 Go to Group News page
Dec 02nd 10 Group Exeter Newsletter December 2018 Go to Group News page
Nov 26th 25 Group Ayr Newsletter Winter 2018 Go to Group News page
Nov 18th National Secretary's Snippets November 2018 Go to National News page
Nov 2nd. 14 Group Winchester Newsletter September 2018 Go to Group News page
Oct 19th 07 Group Bedford Newsletter September 2018 Go to Group News page
Oct 05th 31 Group Belfast Group Committee minutes Sept 2018 Go to Group News page
Sep 15th 20 Group York Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to Group News page
Sep 06th 24 Group Edinburgh Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to Group news page
Aug 28th 06 Group Norwich Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to Group News page
Aug 28th 22 Group Carlisle Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to Group News page
Aug 26th 09 Group Yeovil Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to Group News page
Aug 19th 04 Group Colchester Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to Group News page
Aug 19th RAF 100th Anniversary Westminster Abbey London Go to National Events page
Aug 15th 03 Group Oxford Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to National News page
July 21st 15 Group Lincoln Newsletter Summer 2018 Go to Group News Page
NOTE: To find earlier issues of Group Newsletters Go to Group News Page
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2019 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY -
April Sunday (t.b.a.) . St Clement Danes Service to commemorate formation of the RAF -
Tickets - Metropolitan Area.
May Sat / Sun. (t.b.a.) ROC Grove National Arboretum Alrewas Meet from 1200 –.
29th June Saturday Armed Forces National Parade + ROCA Heritage Display – Salisbury
19th to 21st July Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday. Royal International Air Tattoo Fairford
15th September Sunday. Battle of Britain Service Westminster Abbey – Western Area
12th to 14th October ~ ROCA 29th National Annual Reunion & ADM ~ Palace Hotel Buxton
7th November Thursday. Field of Remembrance Westminster – Scottish Area
10th November Sunday. Remembrance Parade Cenotaph
April Sunday (t.b.a.) . St Clement Danes Service to commemorate formation of the RAF -
Tickets - Metropolitan Area.
May Sat / Sun. (t.b.a.) ROC Grove National Arboretum Alrewas Meet from 1200 –.
29th June Saturday Armed Forces National Parade + ROCA Heritage Display – Salisbury
19th to 21st July Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday. Royal International Air Tattoo Fairford
15th September Sunday. Battle of Britain Service Westminster Abbey – Western Area
12th to 14th October ~ ROCA 29th National Annual Reunion & ADM ~ Palace Hotel Buxton
7th November Thursday. Field of Remembrance Westminster – Scottish Area
10th 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.
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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 this link to the ROCBF pages |
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 |