Author: Phil Hannah

As you know, we have been busy trying to sort out the membership, following us becoming a Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association (which is for ALL airborne soldiers)  It has caused a kerfuffle in some quarters, so David Lang, our President extends this message to you all:

Message from our President

Dear AFR Riders and Supporters,

Many of you will have seen the recent posts on Facebook, regarding membership, subscriptions, access to social media pages and the like and as the newly incumbent President of AFR and Chairman of the PRA AFR branch committee, I believe it falls to me to position where we are with Airborne Forces Riders (AFR) and the approach the committee is taking on your behalf, attempting to explain the reason behind some of the decisions already made and the changes forthcoming.  I understand that the following may not be agreed with by some members, but with registered riders and supporters  in the region of 650, unanimous agreement is never going to be achieved, but the approaches and decisions reached by the Committee and Trustees have been taken with the interests of AFR and it’s members at the centre.

Back to fundamentals:  What is Airborne Forces Riders?

 10 years ago when AFR was formed, Paul Moore described  AFR as …”a loose association of airborne veterans and their supporters who have casual, organised and annual rides”.   In the last 10 years however, AFR has grown from 14 to c650 listed riders and supporters and with that the controls have tightened, we have become regulated and governed under the constitution and rules as part of the Parachute Regimental Association.   Alongside the necessary rigour, AFR has developed organically with people of a shared interest and mindset.  Acts of remembrance and respect have grown in prominence, along with raising awareness of our airborne brothers who paid the ultimate price, becoming increasingly prominent in our mindset and activities.  Of course the sense of belonging we lose on discharge, is also mitigated by AFR; getting together with likeminded people who ride motorbikes,  sharing pride in our airborne background and the shared mindset is invaluable to our own wellbeing.  Many just ride for the get together, friendship and reunion.  All of this is OK and a positive reason to be part of this amazing organisation.  Further background can be read on our website A “Club” or not ? – AIRBORNE FORCES RIDERS

AFR is now a branch of the PRA.  As such we want all AFR members to be members of the PRA also. 

AFR are at a  key junction of our evolution.  We understand that the move of AFR to become a branch of the PRA is an emotive one and not to everyone’s liking, but just as a reminder, the PRA is a charity that supports not just the Parachute Regiment but also Airborne Forces families and veterans in their hour of need and the requested commitment to this charity is small.  The decision to become a branch of the PRA has been made and we ask that it is supported given the reasons already published by Paul last year and laid out below.  The requirement to join as a member of the PRA will have the added value of vetting applications into categories, thereby reducing the risk of ‘Walts’ blagging their way as a ‘Rider’, which unfortunately has happened in the past.  AFR membership has grown rapidly over the last 5 years and events, attendance and commitments has grown along with numbers of those riding.  As a formed organisation of this size, it was an ever increasing risk for event organisers should something go wrong and they be held accountable.  Additionally, the costs of wreaths, crosses and other acts of remembrance are substantial and were being borne from the personal pockets of the President and a few others; this is simply not fair or sustainable.  Therefore over and above membership of the PRA, an annual subscription to AFR of £10 is currently in place to cover the running costs and facilitate our charitable aims.  This approach is not unique to AFR; other military Riders groups have the same approach.  Many of us are also members of other military charities as well and I understand the charitable fatigue, but the price of £10 for which you would struggle to get 2 pints of Guinness for in a pub, is small in comparison to the benefits.  As a comparable example, the annual fee I pay for the Riders Branch of the RBL is £25 a year.

Therefore we ask Riders and Supporters to become a member of both PRA and AFR.

 What is a member?   To date a member is someone who has registered with Phil Hannah through the AFR Website.  However we are transitioning to a more formal footing over the next 6 months, whereby a member will be classified  as someone who has joined the PRA as either a Full Member, Associate Member, Affiliate member or Armed Forces/Social member and also paid annual subscriptions to AFR.  Joining the PRA is done directly with the PRA her Become a Member • The Parachute Regimental Association.  Please note that lifetime membership is only £7.50 and £5.00 for over 60s. Please note that Supporters can join the PRA as social or Armed Forces members as appropriate.

As an AFR member, you will be eligible to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM)  and vote on the strategic direction of the AFR Branch, vote on matters arising and vote for committee members to represent AFR and indeed stand as a committee member as vacancies arise and rotate.     In order to cover running costs of remembrance and to meet our charitable aims, such as recent support to the Arnhem Fellowship, annual AFR membership is set at £10.00 a year.

Social Media.  As the AFR’s application of governance grows, it has become apparent that there is significant disparity between numbers of members signed through the website and members on Facebook (FB).  Therefore the committee have initiated work to rationalise the two disparate lists.  Alongside this requirement, concerns were raised over security and access to certain areas of the website and to activities shared on FB.  Therefore it was proposed and carried, that for a trial period the AFR FB page would be accessible only to members.  I think it is fair to say that the response by way of healthy challenge and comments was swifter and more numerous than anticipated.  It is noted that as an example, our Dutch friends enjoy seeing what we do in UK aside from Arnhem that is publicised in the Arnhem Riders pages.  It is also a shop window for fresh blood and for people to register interest.  Therefore the decision is not final, but will stand in the short term while membership lists are consolidated.  A communication will be sent to some members who have yet to pay subscriptions explaining what is required of them to continue to be registered as an AFR member.  Any questions on subscriptions payment should be sent to our treasurer John(Jasper) Harratt.  Any questions on FB should be sent to Barbara or Steve Bone.  Any questions on membership should be sent to Phil Hannah or Martin McGill.

 If I don’t join and pay as a member can I still come along and ride?  In short; yes.  You are welcome as a guest, but don’t be surprised going forward if you are asked at ride outs to make a donation to AFR.  Naturally we would prefer you to join and support our charitable aim.  If you are not a member, you would not be invited to attend the AGM and therefore would not have a vote, certain areas of the web page and potentially FB along with certain items from the shop would no longer be available to you either, but you would still be welcomed at the rides.  Indeed we change our name to ‘Arnhem Riders’ for that trip specifically widen the participation  and to recognise the fact it was an all arms battle.  Note:  More to follow on Arnhem suggested accommodation after RTTW.

 In summary, it is recognised that the move to formalising the AFR as a branch of the PRA and the associated decisions on subscriptions to meet charitable aims and share the cost of expenses, will not be for everyone.  Indeed, there will be a proportion of people registered that did so on a whim, or out of intrigue, who have never ridden with us and have no real interest in ever doing so and this process will weed those out; providing a more accurate picture of ‘active membership’.  I hope the above is of assistance in helping with understanding our direction and rationale behind some of the decisions made.  Please be assured of the best intentions of myself, the Branch Committee and of course the Trustees who have your collective interests at heart.

Kind regards

David

Here is the admin instructions for Arnhem 2024.   Please read them carefully.  All the information that you need will be in the Op Order.

Arnhem 2024 V2 Admin Instruction

Falklands January 2023
Since before the Falklands 40 events last year, I and a few others have been working with John
Beale, a historian working on a Phd about the Falklands war. John’s tutor for the course was Dr
Helen Parr who just happens to be the niece of Dave Parr of 2 Para killed in the final hours of the
war on Wireless Ridge. We had originally planned this trip to take place before covid, so it was a
great relief that we were finally able to secure accommodation space at Liberty Lodge thanks to
the Falklands Veterans Foundation (FVF) and the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA82) who
were our sponsors for the military trooping flights.
In addition to John and myself there were two veterans who had not been back to the Falklands
since 1982 so this trip was a very big deal for them. They were – Paul Youngman (RN Medic
attached to 45 Cdo) and Ian Davis (a 17.5 year old EW operator on HMS Ardent). My role on the
trip was to support to the other guys and provide local knowledge and information having been
down before and have plenty of local contacts. This arrangement worked well for me as I just
went with their programme with little responsibility for organising anything other than introducing
everyone to my Falklander friends and sometimes acting as a guide. My ‘other role’ was to take
the Wreath of Respect to the Falklands. This was the first visit to the Falklands for the wreath, yet
my first thought was ‘Baggage Allowance’, although luckily, this did not seem to be a major issue
at RAF Brize Norton.
Although we had online meetings, except for John we had never actually met. However, on
meeting up at Brize it was as if we had known each other for years. On arrival in the Falklands, I
took the opportunity to introduce the wreath to my ‘housemates’ in Liberty Lodge who were all
Falkland veterans and their partners, they included Andy (HMS Coventry) and his lady Louise, Tom
MacMillan (2 Scots Guards) and his lady Elaine, and Mark (40 Cdo) and his son Dan. Over the next
several days we visited places that will be familiar, such as Darwin and Goose Green, Fitzroy, San
Carlos, Ajax Bay, Teal Inlet, Mt Kent, Mt Tumbledown, Mt Harriet, Mt Longdon, and Wireless
Ridge. I have to say that the best part of this trip was purely because we were a very mixed group,
and therefore listening to the experiences of the others was very enlightening, sometimes sad or
funny, but always very interesting. On top of that, the Para – Marine – Navy – 2SG banter was
hoofing!
One location we did go that I had never been to before was Mt Campito and Ajax Bay, the site of
the famous ‘Red and Green Life Machine’ that so many of our friends owe their lives to the skill of
Surgeon Commander Rick Jolly and his teams of nurses and medics. The top of Mount Campito
where the HMS Ardent memorial is, a 2.5 hour journey with about half of it across country,
overlooking Falkland Sound where the ship and her crew lie at rest. A big ‘Thank You’ to Keith
Heathman our very expert driver. This was the first time that any of us had been there, but it was
especially significant for one of our group – Ian Davis – who had been a 17.5 year old EW operator
on board his first ship when it was hit by at least five 500lb bombs on 21 May 1982.
Our itinerary was such that we did not have a lot of time at each location, but where we could, as
much time as possible was taken to mark our respects, listen to the eye-witness accounts and
especially meet the Falklanders who were there too. The wreath was always taken out to be
passed from hand to hand by anyone who had not yet seen it, and an explanation given of its role
and purpose on our journey, and that they too were part of the wreath’s journey by handling it

and passing it on. None of the Falkland Islanders that we met had heard of the wreath before but
were extremely engaged by the ethos behind the wreath, and many had their photographs taken
with it, both out in the field and in Stanley. News travels fast in the Falklands and the wreath
made it onto BFBS and Falklands news while we were there.
The trip was not all visiting battlefields and cemeteries though. In June 1982 I had been billeted in
7 Philomel Street so I took the current owner – Nancy Jennings for lunch at the waterfront, and
visited friends Geof (NP8901) and Bernadette Pring for tea. We were also invited to a farm for tea,
attended a PWRR band concert in the town hall and taken to see a colony of King penguins that
now inhabit York Bay which until recently was a minefield. We had a very nice visit to meet the
Governor but she was away, and the Deputy Governor was at MPA on business, so we had tea
with the Estate Manager John who was ex-RN. We also managed to pop into the hangar at
Stanley Airport to visit my old pal John McLeod who is the Chief Engineer there and who had been
a hostage in Goose Green as a boy. I also did some important ‘recce and liaison’ for the October
‘SAMA Ride in the Falklands’ which myself and Charlie will do later. We also met two police
officers in Stanley that are both former Parachute Regiment. Sgt Mark and PC Pete are both now
wearing Airborne Forces Rider pins in Stanley !
One of the important aspects of visiting – especially for those who had not been back – was to see
how the Falklands had developed since 1982, and is now a thriving and lively, independent
community. We saw fishing boats in to collect licences, we saw the farming process of sheep and
wool and the tourist industry is huge. On one day alone three large ships arrived in port and
delivered nearly 5000 tourists, thus tripling the population of Stanley in one day. It was chaos! By
lunchtime it was difficult to get served in a shop and there was a queue out the door at the Globe
pub and the Victory bar too. I made a tactical retreat back to Liberty Lodge and had a beer on the
balcony in peace and quiet. To be fair, in the summer season a lot of the Falklanders are involved
in the tourist industry so who can blame them, especially when the neighbours are still rattling on
about sovereignty 40 years after being kicked out.
We ended the trip by John conducting his final interviews with us all and later having all our
Falkland friends around for food and drinks in Liberty Lodge. All in all it was an excellent trip, and
extremely rewarding for those making the first trip back since 1982 and who now wish they had
done it years ago. Finally, I can only strongly recommend to any Airborne Brother who has not
been back to do so soon. It will be worth it.

Paul Moore
President Airborne Forces Riders
&
Ambassador to the Wreath of Respect
30 January 2023

Airborne Forces Riders
Roundup of the Year 2021
We crept from 2020 into 2021 with varying degrees of optimism and hope for the year ahead, even while we were still in the depths of winter and yet another lock down. The question in my mind was ‘The New Year cant be as bad as the one we have left behind……. Can it?’
Well, as we all know now, it bloody well can !
That said, I’m sure that we all were determined to make the best of it and get on with life as best
we could. Looking back, this year was certainly not a complete flop, although it’s fair to say that
missing Arnhem for the second year was a bitter disappointment for those who just could not afford the time off for the 10 day quarantine in Netherlands. All was not lost, and we had a very successful Arnhem in England’ tour. More on that later. Sadly, we also started the year with the loss of one of our own – Dave Pollock (9 Para Sqn RE) – who sadly passed away in March. There was a great turn out of Airborne Riders for Dave’s funeral and the family are very grateful for that great show of love and support. Dave was one of our original Airborne Riders from 2014 and attended every Arnhem trip since then. He will be missed.
So what did we do? My main focus of the early part of the year was planning the Falklands Ride of
Respect due to take place in August and Arnhem in September, but I found time for some local rides including the Op Banner Ride of Respect in County Durham with Eights and Aces, visiting over 20 graves of lads lost in Northern Ireland who are buried in the County. I have been on some great rides in the north east and if any of you have never rode up here before I can highly recommend it.
I can reach Edinburgh in about 2 hours, the Lake District in 90 minutes and the Yorkshire Dales in
less than an hour. Perhaps an AFR gathering in the north east might appeal to a few?
Elsewhere, local rides were also taking place and in July, Jack Hawkins (216 & Pathfinders) organised the ‘Cotswolds Capers’ taking advantage of the light traffic, good weather and great roads. Riders who attended tell me that it was a great ride and good fun, so more of it please Jack. July certainly was a busy month in the Hawkins household as Jack and Tracey got married on July 01 and this conveniently led directly into Airborne Forces weekend in Aldershot. Good planning Jack ! It was a lovely wedding and well attended by friends and family and best of all blessed with great weather too. Congratulations to you both.
In July we also got a Patron – Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer. General John was a biker in the very early
part of his career and a couple of years ago in Arnhem was overheard to say that he would like to
get a bike once he retired. The seed was sown, and Vic Thorn (2 Para) approached General John at the presentation of new Colours in Colchester to see if he would like to be our Patron. He was
probably a bit under pressure at this point as clutched in Vic’s sticky mitts was a new leather cut
complete with Airborne Forces Riders patch and emblazoned with the name ‘General John’. The cut fitted well and General John graciously agreed to be the first ever Patron of Airborne Forces Riders. General John has now taken up post as the new Governor of the Isle of Man and we wish him all the very best in his new post.
The 2021 Falklands Ride of Respect was fast approaching at this point and without doubt, the
planning and organisation required for this year far surpassed the previous two years. On a positive note, lots of people chipped in to help. They know who they are and for that I am eternally grateful.

In addition, this year we had decided that the ride had to be self-funding, bearing in mind that the riders themselves had funded the ride in the two years previously. We did all sorts of fund-raising activities including a live auction at The Last Post veterans bar in Stockton. The support we received from all over the UK and further afield was just simply amazing. We thank everyone who supported us in a thousand different ways which enabled the ride to happen and be the success it was. I won’t repeat what has already been written about the ride but at this point with all the bills paid, and money still trickling in, we have raised just over £13,000 for the South Atlantic Medal Association and most importantly, raised awareness of the Falklands war and where the graves are around the UK. It is the 40 th anniversary of that war next year and we have proved and demonstrated to the families of the fallen that they are not forgotten. I want to record my personal thanks to the team for their outstanding support. Charlie McColgan, Tony McKie and Phill Damant – you are all a bit mad, but I could not have wished for better company on the ride. Thank you all.
No sooner had we got the Ride of Respect out of the way we were looking forward to Arnhem but
things were not looking good. I was in constant contact with ‘our man in Arnhem’ – Frans Amerlaan throughout the year – and he was keeping me updated with the latest Covid advice from the Dutch Government. Here in the UK we were downgrading our Covid measures but because of the Delta variant in UK, the Dutch Government put us on their red list of countries ! We had always said that in the first instance we would always respect the decision of the Dutch people and secondly, make a go / no-go decision on Arnhem by the end of August. Sadly, it had to be no go. So we pulled out ‘Plan B’ which had been prepared since last year – ‘Arnhem In England’. One or two Airborne riders based in Europe did attend the Friday Ride of Remembrance in Arnhem and we thank Frans Steenhuis for making this happen. We hope to be there in 2022 of course, and look forward to riding with the Red Beret Riders and other friends in Arnhem once again.
While I was finalising the arrangements for the main Arnhem in England ride, Bob McKeegan-Brown kindly took on the organisation of Phase 1 – the Double Hills ride in Somerset. Double Hills near Paulton is the location of a Horsa glider crash on 17 September 1944 which killed 21 men from 9 Para Sqn RE and two men of the Glider Pilot Regiment. Several riders attended and paid their respects at the graves on Saturday and the service on Sunday, and made good links with Van Dieman MCC who invited the riders to their new clubhouse. Well done to all who attended and thank you Bob for organising.
A few days later, several Riders attended the memorial to the Tenth Battalion at Somerby in
Leicestershire and had a really nice ride out followed by a nice Sunday lunch in the pub in the
village. We were back there a week later on the main ‘Arnhem in England’ ride. We based
ourselves in Woodhall Spa which was the HQ location of 1 Airlanding Bde in 1944 and for two days visited the base locations and take-off airfields of the units who flew to Arnhem in September 1944.
For many of us this was the first time that these locations had been visited, and the locations and
the history that goes with them really puts the scale and enormity of Op Market Garden into
context. For example, almost 600 men of 10 Bn flew to Arnhem on 17 September 1944 but only 38
returned to Somerby. The rest being killed, wounded or captured. Elsewhere, Riders also took part in other commemorations such as in Donington near Spalding where 1 st Parachute Squadron RE were based. Only 11 men answered the roll after Arnhem. Another commemoration Riders attended was the Cromwell Lock Service on the river Trent in Nottinghamshire to commemorate the ten men of 131 Parachute Squadron RE (V) who lost their lives in the river during an exercise on 28 September 1975.

The last formal event of the year was soon upon us. The Ride to the Wall. This is another event
that has been cancelled for the last two years so everyone was a little excited to be going this year. In conjunction with other military bike groups, we had all agreed to start from one collective point which would be Whittington Barracks in Lichfield. There were several advantages to this such as secure location, the chance of a cup of tea, decent toilets, and no stupid o’clock starts! Airborne Forces Riders were by far the largest group having 59 Riders and 12 pillions registered to start from that point. We had originally planned to just stay in the background and do our own thing, but when I moved my bike forward to form an AFR line the other rider groups panicked and followed!
There was a moment of confusion, but it all ended well as everyone just followed the Airborne
Forces Riders and we were at the front and mostly together. I asked our Founder and Past
President Titch Cornish to lay the wreath on our behalf at the monument, not because I did’nt want to do it, but because as our senior man, it is fitting for Titch to do it. Also, a big ‘Thank You’ to Ziggy Milemuncher AKA Mike Turnpenny for making the wreath centre, not only for the NMA / RTTW but for all the Ride of Respect wreaths too.
Our traditional gathering by the Airborne statue was extremely well attended for our annual
photograph and we joined with Invictus MC for a rare joint photo opportunity which was really
appreciated by both groups, and we may make a visit to Invictus HQ in 2022 as a result. One point of note was that we all stood in silence and respect while the Rifles made their collective act of Remembrance nearby. There were several comments made later on social media, of how this was appreciated by them as an awesome display of respect to the fallen of the Rifle Brigade by Airborne Forces. My reply was simple. No matter what Arm or Corps or cap badge, our respect for the fallen has no boundaries, and we are all part of the same team.
Elsewhere, Charlie has been working hard to get this year’s issue of the Flower Children pin to them in Arnhem and had experienced the ‘Brexit Factor’ in doing so. In shipping the pins to our good friend Frans Amerlaan, the Market Garden Foundation were hit with an import bill of 450 Euros as we are not in EU any more. However, there was also good news on the horizon as after this was raised in the Dutch media an anonymous donor paid the 450 euros so it ended well. The Flower Children got their 2021 pins on time and it was good to see so many of them wearing them in September. Charlie has done a great job on this and is now planning the next stage in which we hope to place an Airborne Riders / Flower Children bench somewhere in Oosterbeek in 2022. Buying a 2021 pin will help this to happen so thank you to everyone who have done so.
What of next year? Events will be posted on the Facebook page events section as early as possible so that we can all plan on attending. It would be handy if someone could take on the organisation of one or two of the rides during the year. Mostly they pretty much run on rails but I cant do everything myself so don’t be shy about taking one on and making it yours. There WILL be another Falklands Ride of Respect in the first two weeks of May, the Queen’s Birthday Weekend in early June and we will have our first ‘Summer camp’ at Hathersage in the Peak District in July. The accommodation venue is full but there are plenty of other places to stay nearby so get booked early. It will be a good couple of days. Of course, we are hoping that Arnhem will happen in September – fingers crossed ! For some of us the big event of the year will be the 40 th anniversary of the Falklands war. There will be events all over the UK throughout April to July, and the chosen charity of the Army v Navy rugby at Twickenham on 30 April is the South Atlantic Medal Association. That will be a match to attend if you can.

So…..Thank you all for a great year. Lets look forward to a great 2022 with blue skies, dry roads and safe riding. Keep up the skills over the winter if you can but whatever you do, ride within your limitations, watch out for numpty drivers and be safe.

Paul Moore
President
Airborne Forces Riders

Update from Paul Moore:

Airborne Forces Riders
Arnhem in the UK 2021 (Provisional Programme)
(All distances and timings are approximate)
Thursday 16 September
Travel Day to Melton Mowbray under own arrangements.
Friday 17 September – Arnhem Day
0900 Hrs RV at Premier Inn, Melton Mowbray
0930 Hrs Depart
1015 Hrs Arrive RAF Barkston Heath Arnhem Memorial (23 Mile / 40 Min)
1045 Hrs Depart
1130 Hrs Arrive Thorpe Camp Visitors centre. (23 Mile / 40 Min)
1330 Hrs Lunch – The Blue Bell
1430 Hrs Depart
1500 Hrs Arrive Donington (1 Para Sqn RE & Arnhem Tree) (19 Mile / 30 Min)
1600 Hrs Depart
1630 Hrs Arrive Bourne Church Abbey (1 Para) (16 Mile / 30 Min)
1700 Hrs Depart
1745 Hrs Arrive at Premier Inn, Melton Mowbray
2000 Hrs Toast to the Men of Arnhem (Location TBC – Dress: Maroon)
Saturday 18 September
0945 Hrs RV at Premier Inn, Melton Mowbray
1000 Hrs Depart
1030 Hrs Arrive Saltby Airfield. (12 Mile / 25 Min)
1100 Hrs Depart
1115 Hrs Arrive Stoke Rochford Church (2 Para) (5 Mile / 15 min)
1200 Hrs Depart
1245 Hrs 10 Para Memorial (19 miles / 45 Min)
1315 hrs Depart
1330 Hrs Arrive Somerby Village Hall (10 Para) (2.5 Mile / 7 Min)
To include lunch in the village
1445 Hrs Depart
1500 Hrs Arrive Langham Parish Church (1 AB Div) (4.6 Mile / 10 Min)
1530 Hrs Depart
1600 Hrs Arrive Corner Cottage, LE15 8DH (Capt Lionel Queripel VC) (6 Mile / 12 Min)
1630 Hrs Depart
1700 Hrs Arrive at Premier Inn, Melton Mowbray
Sunday 19 September
Travel day under own arrangements

Good question.  Here is the latest from our President:

Airborne Forces Riders visit to WW2 airfields, memorials and locations pertaining to Op Market Garden. We don’t really have the opportunity to do this but as this is our second year where we are unable to go to Arnhem, this is the ideal opportunity to visit these places to get ‘the big picture’. This ride will compliment the previous ride weekends at Double Hills in Somerset and Somerby where 10 Bn were based.
Airborne Forces Riders
Arnhem in the UK 2021 (Provisional Programme)
(All distances and timings are approximate)

Thursday 16 September
Travel Day to Melton Mowbray under own arrangements.
Friday 17 September – Arnhem Day
0900 Hrs RV at Premier Inn, Melton Mowbray
0930 Hrs Depart
1015 Hrs Arrive RAF Barkston Heath Arnhem Memorial (23 Mile / 40 Min)
1045 Hrs Depart
1130 Hrs Arrive Thorpe Camp Visitors centre. (23 Mile / 40 Min)
1330 Hrs Lunch – The Blue Bell
1430 Hrs Depart
1500 Hrs Arrive Donington (1 Para Sqn RE & Arnhem Tree) (19 Mile / 30 Min)
1600 Hrs Depart
1630 Hrs Arrive Bourne Church Abbey (1 Para) (16 Mile / 30 Min)
1700 Hrs Depart
1745 Hrs Arrive at Premier Inn, Melton Mowbray
2000 Hrs Toast to the Men of Arnhem (Location TBC – Dress: Maroon)

Saturday 18 September
0945 Hrs RV at Premier Inn, Melton Mowbray
1000 Hrs Depart
1030 Hrs Arrive Saltby Airfield. (12 Mile / 25 Min)
1100 Hrs Depart
1115 Hrs Arrive Stoke Rochford Church (2 Para) (5 Mile / 15 min)
1200 Hrs Depart
1245 Hrs 10 Para Memorial (19 miles / 45 Min)
1315 hrs Depart
1330 Hrs Arrive Somerby Village Hall (10 Para) (2.5 Mile / 7 Min)
To include lunch in the village
1445 Hrs Depart
1500 Hrs Arrive Langham Parish Church (1 AB Div) (4.6 Mile / 10 Min)
1530 Hrs Depart
1600 Hrs Arrive Corner Cottage, LE15 8DH (Capt Lionel Queripel VC) (6 Mile / 12 Min)
1630 Hrs Depart
1700 Hrs Arrive at Premier Inn, Melton Mowbray

Sunday 19 September
Travel day under own arrangements

Not a terribly nice subject, I know, but Nigel Barnett has been working behind the scenes since Dave Pollock’s funeral.  He felt that we should have a shroud especially for the Riders.  True to his word he has created the artwork and had one manufactured:

A great job he has made of it.  Let us hope it a very long time before we need to use it.  Dave, from all the Riders and Supporters, a big THANK YOU

We sadly said farewell to Dave Pollock  at Nuneaton Crematorium on Friday 12th March 2021.  It was a sign of how loved and respected he was that, despite Covid restrictions over twenty Riders and Supporters turned up to escort him on his final journey.

Dave was a huge advocate of the Airborne Riders and will be remembered as our Escort Rider.  He, along with Rab Baillie, had escort marked bikes and did a fantastic job every year at our Arnhem Trip.  Interestingly, on the first trip, the police initially stopped both of them carrying out escort duties but soon relented when they realised how good they were!!  Our thoughts are for Scott his son, who despite his grief, insisted on riding as escort to the procession.

Farewell Dave, it was a pleasure to ride with you.  Report to the Final RV – Duty Done !!

Here is what it is all about:

Ride of Respect 2021 video

The outline route for this year’s Ride of Respect is listed below.  As in previous years the riders will be undertaking this mammoth ride at their own expense.  A fund raising page has been set up so that we can all “participate” in the ride by making a contribution to the costs.  All donations will be gratefully received and faithfully applied.  So, please donate to this magnificent cause…

Click here to donate to the ride

FORWARD PLAN – Falklands Ride of Respect 2022

Not publishing this openly yet as I don’t want people to get confused between this years Falklands Ride of Respect in August and what me and Charlie are planning for 2022……but this is an Airborne Forces Riders sneak peek at next year’s route.
Start point: Liberty Lodge
Stanley Cemetery (1)
Estancia House (2)
Teal Inlet (3)
Port San Carlos (4)
San Carlos Cemetery (5)
Goose Green (6)
New Haven Ferry (7)
Port Howard Ferry (8)
Port Howard (9)
Darwin Argentine Cemetery (10)
Fitzroy (11)
Stanley Falklands Memorial (12)
Liberty Lodge : Ride Ends
257 Miles and 11 hours of riding.

Paul Moore, President

Map of intended route

Message from our President

Passing – Dave Pollock

It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the passing of Dave Pollock in the early hours of this morning, having succumbed to his fight with cancer. (Wed 10 Feb 2021)
Dave was a former member of 9 Parachute Squadron RE, and active Airborne Forces Rider, often to be seen cutting about on his escort bike with great skill. He will be missed.
As soon as funeral arrangements are known a further bulletin will be issued regarding an escort and Guard of Honour.

Nigel Barnett put this excellent briefing on Facebook.  Just in case you missed it, here it is in full:

Green Cards, International Driving Permits (IDP) and travel insurance.
As we are all aware, the rules for travelling abroad have changed, nothing too onerous but boxes that need to be ticked.
Green Cards can be ordered free from your insurance companies/downloaded. Valid for 90 days. They can take up to 5 days if being delivered by post. You also require your V5.
IDP’s for the most part are not required for European travel. For those who only have a paper driving license get an upgrade to a plastic one, this in the main for Europe ticks all the boxes.
Travel insurance, make sure you get travel insurance it costs at most £15. The EHIC may not provide medical cover.
Also check on amount of days outside the UK, it appears to be 90 days, followed by 180 days back in UK. Something to check on if regularly travelling abroad.

Thanks Nigel.  For Arnhem…consider getting the Green Card ASAP rather than wait for the rush when lockdown is lifted 😃😃

Paul Moore, our President, has been in reflective mood lately, since he gained his Masters Degree.  The work for the “Masters” took all of his time.  Then he remembered something he’d read on the lessons he had gained from his time in the military.  I’m sure we can relate to every single one.  Here are those wise words:

Ten life lessons the Army taught me

1. “No plan survives contact with the enemy”
– You may have things mapped out but life will change so learn to adapt and keep moving forward.
2. “Soldier on”
– Life is tough, it will hurt and you will suffer but you must not stop. Strength comes from never quitting.
3. “It’s character building”
– When you go through challenges and come out the other side you are stronger for it. Challenges are there to be overcome.
4. “Five minutes before”
– You are part of something bigger, if you are not where you’re meant to be, when you’re meant to be then others will suffer. Plan ahead and be ready to go.
5. “Buddy, buddy”
– Look after your friends and they will be there for you when you need them most.
6. “It is what it is”
– Some things can’t be changed so accept them and move on with your life.
7. “The thinking rifleman”
– You are not some cog in a machine, you have something to offer. Never be afraid to share your ideas, they may be the difference between failure and success.
8. “Train hard, fight easy”
– Push yourself hard in all aspects of your life, prepare for the worst so that when the unexpected happens you are ready for it.
9. “Prior Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performance”
– If you have no idea what you are trying to achieve then there is little hope of achieving it. Making a plan enhances your odds of success, think things through beforehand and you will be more prepared should the unexpected happen.
10. “Fire Support”
– You cannot go it alone. Never be afraid to reach out and ask for help, you will be stronger for it.

Share the lessons with your civvie friends…it may help them to understand you a bit better !!

We have set up navigation pages on the site with locations of our RVs and points of interest for our rides.  Over time we shall be adding to this “library” so that you will always have locations, like an RV,  exact to a 3m square.   An  example of this that will demonstrate the the usefulness of this app is the Ride to the Wall.  Because of the size of the place we have not been able to join as a group for the Service of Remembrance.  We are usually spread all over the Arboretum.  The location using “What3words” will take you to exactly the spot where we will be standing.  Just using your normal phone navigation of Google Maps on walking mode and you will get there!!

On the bike, if you get into trouble you can send the Waht3words location to anyone and they will get exactly to you!!

As with all things “new” I was reluctant but thought I would give it a go.  Once the location is pinpointed you click “Navigate” and it asks which of the navigation app loaded in your phone you want to use.  It then sends the exact location to the app.

Take a look at the information given on the page:  Navigation points for our rides and try it out on your phone.

Not to be missed!!! A fabulous video to commemorate the Ride of Respect Click here for video

There have been quite a few members asking for information on the back patches that some of us wear on our cuts (Waistcoats )

The Riders back patch was produced by our President, Paul Moore, to raise funds for SAAFA.

He sells them for £30 and all profits go to SAAFA.

If you would like  one to stitch on to your cut then please email Paul at  paul508@me.com

The Battalion patches are produced by another of our members, Clive Butland.  Again, should you want to order one email him at clivebutland@hotmail.com .  They are priced at £25 each

And for those Riders and Supporters who attend Arnhem the year strips are produced by Rab Baillie.  Again please contact him direct by email at

rabbaillie@yahoo.co.uk

Bob Russell and Pete Neaves have made a bold escape from Covid.

Tradition vets giving pins to flowerchildren restored by Charlie McColgan

Well, most of us couldn’t make it. So, as you know Paul and Charlie went to represent us.

It was a massive success.  Paul reports that the Dutch truly appreciated us not going this year.  We showed, by not going, that we respected them.

The result was that there was a closer focus on Paul and Charlie and the reason for their visit.  That focus meant both newspaper and TV had pieces about the new commemorative pin.

Here is Paul’s report in full:

It was a great honour to be in Arnhem & Oosterbeek this weekend with my great friend Charlie McColgan, to formally present the Flower Children the 2020 pin in recognition and respect of their efforts since 1945. Charlie presented a pin to Kiki (age 9) as it was their meeting last year that sparked the idea that rekindles an old tradition of the veterans giving the flower children a souvineer. The pins are provided through funds raised by Charlie and presented on behalf of the Airborne Forces Riders to the Flower Children of Arnhem. The pin is a copy of the flower children statue and is dated 1945-2020 and in coming years the end date will change and there will be small variations, making each year unique and collectable. There will only be 2000 issued each year with the majority going to the flower children and the remainder sold to raise funds for the following year.
We are grateful for the advice and assistance of Frans Ammerlaan and Hans Kelderman of the Market Garden Foundation , Daphne and her mum of the organising committee of the Flower Children and the outgoing Elderman of Renkum/Oosterbeek.

Paul Moore RE, Maj (Retd)

President

John “Jeff” Jeffries passed to Valhalla on 30th August 2020. 

Jeff was known to all of us as one of the regular attending Veterans in Arnhem each year.  He became, over the last five years, very firm friends with our Vice President, Charlie McColgan.

The Airborne Forces Riders did him proud at his funeral, both pallbearers and as a riding escort to the funeral procession.

Here are some of the photos taken by our riders on the day:

Hot off the presses from Paul Moore:

Airborne Forces Riders
Arnhem Weekend Sat 19 – Sun 20 Sep 2020

The weekend will consist of riders making an RV in the east midlands near Leicester. Riders will then visit the memorial to 10 Bn Parachute Regiment who had been billeted at Somerby in 1944. Of the 584 men who flew to Arnhem there were only 36 who returned to Somerby.
Riders will then make their way to Woodhall Spa to visit the Arnhem memorial located there in the grounds of the Cottage Museum dedicated to 1st Airlanding Brigade. Nearby is the memorial to those of 617 (Dambuster) Squadron RAF who did not return from the raid.
Riders will then ride to Cleethorpes PRA Club for an overnight of shenanigans and merry-making. Riders return home under own arrangements.
Riders who wish to make their own arrangement are welcome to do so.

Sat 19 Sep.

1145 – 1230 Hrs RV – Sainsbury’s Car Park, Market Harborough

Sainsbury’s
Saint Mary’s Road
Market Harborough
LE16 7DR
England

Note: There is a fuel station at Sainsbury’s. Top up here.

1230 Hrs Depart to Tenth Memorial. (17 Miles – 30 Min)

Twyford Road
Burrough on the Hill
Melton Mowbray
LE14 2QS

1330 Hrs Depart to Woodhall Spa (54 Miles – 1 Hr 30 Min)
Arrive at 1500 Hrs

1.
617 Sqn (Op Chastise) Memorial – located on road junction entering Woodhall Spa.
Junction of B1191 and B1192.
Royal Gardens
Woodhall Spa
East Lindsey
Lincolnshire
LN10 6QL

2.
Arnhem Memorial
Cottage Museum
Iddesleigh Road
Woodhall Spa
LN10 6SH

1630 Hrs Depart to Cleethorpes ( 35 Miles – 1 Hour 30 min including fuel stop)

En Route Fuel located at:
Moorland Service Station
88 Horncastle Road
Roughton Moor
Woodhall Spa
LN10 6UX

ETA Cleethorpes – 1800 Hrs
Move into accommodation.
RV at PRA 1900 hrs onwards.

Sunday 20 Sep.
No programme. Riders – Ride home Safe.

Double Hills Memorial Ride – 4/6th September 2020

Paul Moore, our President, has been working at top speed trying to put together our ride.  Here is the latest details giving the RVs  and outline plan on each day. IMPORTANT COVID Counter-measures.  All riders are respectfully requested to bring face masks, gloves and hand sanitiser for their own use during the weekend, and use where appropriate.

Outline Of Events

Fri 04 Sept.

Travel day. Riders are requested to ‘team up’ en route by making your own arrangements and RVs depending on where you are travelling from. Please post these on FB page so that everyone can see and join if necessary.

Sat 05 Sept

0930 hrs  Depart Best Western Midsomer Norton. (Those that are staying there) 0945 – 1015 hrs  RV at The Farrington Inn car park. (next to a Texaco garage). (4 Miles – 12 min) The Farrington Inn Bristol Road Farrington Gurney Bristol BS39 6TG          Click for Map

1015 Hrs  Depart for Weston Super Mare. (22 Miles – 42 Mins)

1115 Hrs  Arrive at WSM All Arms Veterans Breakfast Club. Social distancing rules in operation. More info to follow. They know we are coming and looking forward to meeting us. Some have taken part in Double Hills Service before. We may also RV with Vandieman MCC at this point. They know we are coming and have offered to host / escort us around WSM area. 1230 hrs  Depart to Milton cemetery. (4.5 Miles- 15 Mins) Milton Cemetery Weston-super-Mare BS23 2RP                  Click for Map

1300 Hrs   Act of Remembrance at the graves of glider crew (21 men from 9 Para RE and 2 Glider Pilot Regt).  23 crosses to be laid. 1400 Hrs  Depart.  (Programme TBC but likely to be a ride out with Vandieman MCC and a visit to their clubhouse) . Return to digs afterwards etc.

Sun 06 Sept

1200 Hrs  Best Western latest check out time.  Depart Best Western for Paulton or perhaps a small ride out or pub lunch somewhere. TBC. 1330 Hrs  Arrive car park. Paulton, Bristol BS39 7ND

Police will be in attendance for security & safety purposes.

Meet & Greet. There is a 5 minute walk across a field to the actual location of the memorial.

1430 Hrs Double Hills Service of Remembrance begins.  Brief History

The Double Hills Memorial Service, which remembers the 21 Sappers from the 9th Field Company (Airborne) Royal Engineers and 2 pilots from the Glider Pilots Regiment, who lost their lives on Sunday morning 17th September 1944, when their Horsa Glider RJ113 crashed into a meadow called Double Hills, in the village of Paulton, Somerset.  These were the first casualties of the Battle of Arnhem – Operation Market Garden. They had earlier taken off with their tug aircraft, a Stirling bomber, from RAF Keevil. 1530 Hrs. Act of Remembrance ends. Return to base locations under own arrangements or stay local & travel following day.

    Click for Map

It has finally been confirmed that the Ride to the Wall 2020 is cancelled.  Here is the notice from Martin, the founder:

Roll on 2021 !!  Ride safe

By popular request we have sourced long sleeve T shirts in Maroon !!

There is a limited supply, so get in early if you want one of the first batch.  Order exactly the same as before but choose Maroon as the colour option.

The PRA summer bash, organised by Coventry / Northants PRA, which is usually a fabulous event, is definitely cancelled until next year.

2021 date will be released soon

Details from Jack Hawkins on a new ride out

The Rye Romp 1/2 August 2020

A two day ride out in the Hastings/Rye area of Kent, going round in big circles!

Trace and I have booked into Travel Lodge Hastings for the Saturday evening, it’s a bit pricey @ 89 quid but it’s close to the seafront (10 min walk) rather than the middle of nowhere!

If you wish to attend just one days ride then no problem, keep me informed.

Day One 01 Aug

1100 RV @ Rykas Cafe, Boxhill RH5 6BY
1130 Depart

Stops enroute

1. Whiteways Cafe, Bury Hill BN18 9FD
2. Devils Dyke, Brighton BN1 8YJ
3. Bomber Command Memorial, Beachy Head BN20 7YA

Ride ends at the Travel Lodge Hastings TN34 1ET

Points to note:

Full tanks please
Bring food and drink if you so desire
(I’m NOT feeding 9 Sqn again!)

Day two to follow.

I will collate all the information into one post at a later date.

Social distancing as required.

Rule 216 applies!

Whose in?

The Peterborough Ride on 19th July, that was organised by Nigel Barnett was declared a roaring success by the participants.

Here are a couple of the comments that were posted on our Facebook page:

Many thanks for all of your efforts Nigel.  Let’s hope we can do it again next year!!

This Sunday the weather is predicted to be fabulous.  Why not get the bike out and join the lads at the RV for a ride around the Polish Graveyards

It’s three weeks before four of our members ride 2000+ miles to visit the graves, and pay respects, to the fallen of the Falklands War.

Over the week 1st – 8th August they will place a cross on the graves and say a few words, at each the graves. A full itinerary is show on the Ride of Respect pages under Where and when.

Please study the route and touch points. It may be that you can ride to one cemetery or meeting point to join our lads. You could then ride for some or all of the day with them.

Look at the timings and work out if you can ride with them for a bit. It might be that you can RV with them just to pay your respects then back to work or home.

Either way, you get the idea….SUPPORT THEM IF YOU CAN. It will give you a run out and be truly appreciated by the riders.

PS I’m doing Day 6 complete, ending with a night in the Shot 😀😀

Ron Webster has ordered the memorial bench for Doc (KIA Wireless Ridge, Falkland Islands).  Here is a picture of the back of the bench

Ron sent an update saying that the bench would be ready end of July. He believes he has agreement from the council regarding the location.

It is hoped that a delegation of the Airborne Forces Riders could attend the ceremony of unveiling 

Nigel Barnett is leading a ride out on Sunday, 19th July 2020.  Here is his Admin Order.  Join him to have a good ride visiting the Polish Memorials in the area.

1. Please acknowledge if taking part, for me to get an idea on numbers.
2. Bring packed lunch and drinks.
3. Berets for photos, ‘CUTS’ Optional.
4. Refuel before the ride please.
5. See SCENICAPP for the route map.
6. 1130-Short Brief.
7. Sites on route: Lots of history and memorials.
8. Orton Hall, 3rd Bn Polish Paras.
9. Milton Hall. Stop: SOE, OSS JEDBURGH.
10. Suleyhay Woods. 2nd Bn Polish Paras.
11. RAF Kings Cliffe. Stop: Glenn Miller. Memorial.
12. Blatherwhycke Hall. Anti-Tank Polish Paras.
13. RAF Spanhoe: Stop: Memorial. For many the start point to Arnhem.
14. Easton on the Hill: Stop: 1st Bn Polish Paras. Memorial.
15. Stamford Rock House. Stop: Maj Gen Sosabowski HQ. Memorial.
16. Fotheringhay: Mary Queen of Scots, executed here.
17. RAF Polebrook. Stop: Clarke Gable, THOR Missiles. Memorial.
18. RAF Glatton. Stop: Glenn Miller. Memorial.
19. Norman Cross. Stop: First ever POW Camp.
20. Back to Start point.

Jack Hawkins organised the Cotswolds Caper Run on Sunday 5th July.  Twenty riders turned up for the run and, following socially-distanced greetings (difficult to give an airborne hug from a distance), set off in two groups of ten.

The Cotswolds is a beautiful part of the country and the ride was superb.  At the lunch break at Bibury we discovered an ice cream van.  This led the “Born to be wild” paratrooper veterans to rush for the queue for a lovely 99.

The run ended with the lads and lasses paying homage to the late Winston Churchill by visiting his grave.

Thankfully the weather held and a fabulous day was had by all.

Great job Jack !! 

Arnhem T Shirts 2017

Theirs is the glory

Most of us, particularly the Para Regt guys, will remember the film “Theirs is the glory”. It was shown to recruit platoons in the Depot to provide them with regimental history.

Perhaps what not of them knew was the chain of events that came from the production of the film. When the lads, from 1st Airborne Division who had taken part in Operation Market Garden, returned to Arnhem, in 1945, to make the film an idea was born. The suggestion was made that there should be an annual commemoration of the battle and a memorial service at the Airborne Cemetery.

The very first Memorial Service was held on the 25th September 1945 and Dutch schoolchildren laid flowers on the graves. They have continued to do this ever since.

It is always the most emotional part of our ride to Arnhem when the children enter the cemetery, stand in silent respect and then lay their flowers on the graves.