Army Catering Corps
Im Looking for => General => ACC Memorial Hall Under Threat => Topic started by: magpie24 on January 11, 2009, 06:50:59 PM
-
Original Post By Ian E Scott moved for more publicity by Admin
This makes my blood boil.
What about YOU? Shocked Angry Sad
As part of the redevelopment plans for St Omer Barracks, the ACC War Memorial Hall has been earmarked for reassignment as a Gurkha Temple and Families Centre to accommodate the needs of the Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment when it moves from its present barracks in North Camp, in 2011. Please see link for full story from ACC Association
http://association.org/index_files/MemHallUpdate.htm
As much as I love the Gurkha's this project is ill-conceived and an insult to our Corps fallen
This new is not acceptable!
When will faceless MOD civil servant planners realise that this is not just a plot of land or any old building to the ACC, but a place of quiet reflection on our past and the ultimate sacrifice that some of our friends and comrades have paid for the continued price of democracy and freedom in the World?
This is our War Memorial! Since when has it been UK policy to indiscriminately decide we cannot have it any longer?
Perhaps they should be asked to address the Association members at the next Warner's All Ranks Reunion weekend in May to get a depth of the feeling out there?
Perhaps it's also time for some direct action to No.10 Downing Street, after all we all read the spin that this Government is putting out about how well they look after us ex-servicemen and those still serving!
If you agree please support the Association by signing this petition at
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ACCMemorialHall/
-
Original post by pitbull10
NO ! NO ! NO !
>:( >:( >:( Rob >:( >:(
email fired off.
-
Original post by khan123oo
Total agreement with you Ian maybe the controller can get a petition going from our Corps to No 10 I am certain we would have a 100 percent turnout or maybe we can start the ball rolling? ourselves what do you think regards Mike
-
original post by Ian E Scott
Mike,
If I knew how to start the No.10 online petition I'd get it going. There is a way on-line somewhere to set this up.
Ian
-
Original Post by Ian E Scott
Petition created!!!! ;D ;D
Quick google search did the trick!
This has been sent off to No.10 for approval
Keep looking at this link to see when it has been activated
It will remain on line until 6th April 2009
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ACCMemorialHall/
Please read & sign the petition
Thanks for your support
-
Original post by Supachef
Done
-
Original post by Dave.r
Disgusted by the news .I,ve signed and putting out a few emails to old corps contacts.
Dave
-
original post by mick jones
petition signed,
What about turning The Guards Chapel into a centeral Mosque for all the governments islamic friends working in centeral London.
-
Original post by Ian E Scott
Thanks Mick,
I dont think they'd agree to that either!!!! ;D
-
I just got back from my Holiday ( well Deserved) and was horrified to see Scotties post. I have moved it to the front page to give it more exposure, there is some more we can do to fight this.
First contact your MP and MEP and complain put it in writing (Ian it might be a good idea to make a template complaint letter so we are all saying the same thing)
Second if you are member of any other online forum post the link and Scotties post above, ask people on the forum to sign it.
Third ask all your family and friends to sign it, send them an email with a link to the petition in it, ask each person to forward the email to 5 friends. ( again a template email would be a good idea)
Fourth Write to the Sun, The Mirror, The Star and any other paper you think will help.
Fifth Write to the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince Philip, after all she is still the head of the Armed Forces.
Sixth Tell everyone you know whats happening is a disgrace, if they seem interested send them an email and ask them to pass it on to friends and family.
Remember its easy for people to just click a link in an email or online, thats why its so very important to get the email campaign going, if your emails have the same effect as a chain email it will get the attention of thousands.
-
Hi all.
I hope Ian does not mind I haver used his words to set up a group on FACEBOOK asking people to join and sign the petition.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=43569998660
pitbull, Robin Oliver
-
The more ways we can publicise this Rob the better, thanks for your support ;D
-
Hi Guys.
Just to let you know there are 129 signatures on the petition, We must try harder or it will be ignored by the Government.
Come on guys get your address books out and email the link to everyone you know and ask them to pass it on to everyone they know.
I have fired off an email to Joanna Lumley head of the Gurkha support team, asking for there assistants in passing the link on, Well she emailed me when she wanted signature's lol.
Rob ;D
-
And I'll be very interested to see if she signs it Brian! ::) ;D
132 as at 1700hrs on the 21st Jan
As Brian says, Get into your address books and spread the word...it's bloody time consuming for me going through the ACC thread on Friends Reunited sending individual emails! A week on and I'm only on page 40 of 230 plus!
So please help me out!
-
Gents,
I have just fired off the following to my local MP. You'll find the email address for yours by typing in his name on a Google Search. Thanks to everyone so far for their support
Dear Mr Burnham,
As a retired Warrant Officer Class One, Army Catering Corps who served for 25 years as regular soldier and 5 years in CVHQ ACC I am looking for your support in stopping what I and many of my comrades see as a desecration of our Memorial Hall & Shrine in St Omer Barracks Aldershot.
The following is the text of a petition I currently have running on the No 10 Downing Street Website:
As part of the redevelopment plans for St Omer Barracks, Aldershot the ACC War Memorial Hall has been earmarked for reassignment as a Ghurka Temple and Families Centre to accommodate the needs of the Queens Own Ghurka Logistic Regiment when it moves from its present barracks in North Camp, in 2011.
As much as I love the Gurkha's this project is ill-conceived and an insult to our Corps fallen
This is not acceptable!
When will faceless MOD civil servant planners realise that this is not just a plot of land or any old building to the ACC, but a place of quiet reflection on our past and the ultimate sacrifice that some of our friends and comrades have paid for the continued price of democracy and freedom in the World?
This is our War Memorial!
Since when has it been UK policy to indiscriminately decide we cannot have it any longer?
If you agree please support this petition at:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ACCMemorialHall/
Please support this petition, I have had the honour to serve with the Gurkhas in Malaya (as was) and they are incredible soldiers, however, I feel that they also would be affronted if they knew the distress and concern that is and will be caused if this project is forced to go ahead
Kind Regards,
Ian E Scott FIH
Army Catering Corps (Retd)
-
And I'll be very interested to see if she signs it Brian! ::) ;D
132 as at 1700hrs on the 21st Jan
As Brian says, Get into your address books and spread the word...it's bloody time consuming for me going through the ACC thread on Friends Reunited sending individual emails! A week on and I'm only on page 40 of 230 plus!
So please help me out!
Ian you do mean Rob, Not Brian????? ;D ;D ;D
-
I think this is called progress. And anyway it is now a libary and has been for several years. The building is not being knocked down, just reasigned to a different use. I totaly agree that we should have a place to remember the fallen. That place should be in the Garrison church in Aldershot, or at the cenotaph in London. We now remember our fallen comrades, as part of the RLC, which we have been a part of for over 15 years. The ACC has gone. Let it go and let other people use and enjoy the building.
What do you think to these comments made to me over the petition. I am genuinely interested in your views.
Rob >:(
-
The wording is under threat!
There has been no mention of demolition in this thread!
I used the word reassigned, this was taken from the ACC Official Site
I am very aware of what our Memorial Hall is being used for at this moment in time, namely Army Kinema Services Library, this organisation very graciously took over the safe keeping of our memorial when they took up tenancy and have looked after it on our behalf.
As to suggestions of the Garrison Church - No, why should we give up this fight so easily, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice didn't give up so easily!
As for the Cenotaph, that is the national monument for all our fallen, can you seriously see them adding:
"The Cenotaph & Army Catering Corps Memorial"
We do not remember our fallen as part of the RLC, those of us who turn up at Whitehall each November on Remembrance Sunday remember as a Corps. Come and see how many still remember proudly wearing the ACC badge!
Enough said Rob, there's my answer to the comments made over the petition, he/she is welcome to their views, it falls short of the emails I have had in support and with 172 signatures this morning it can only move upwards. Thanks for your support.
-
My response to him was
:- Thanks for that Jason, Even if its slightly disrespectfull, but you have the right to say what you like, in this day and age because of those that have now gone as you put it.
I cannot let it go as there is a small saying that still rings out, We Will Remember them or less we forget.
personally I think he is one of these modernday chaps that does not give a flying fig, about his history.
Rob
-
;D ;D ;D Rob, Just checked out the official ACC Association site and they have attached a link to the petition which is great news
http://accassociation.org/index_files/MemHallUpdate.htm
-
I think this is called progress. And anyway it is now a libary and has been for several years. The building is not being knocked down, just reasigned to a different use. I totaly agree that we should have a place to remember the fallen. That place should be in the Garrison church in Aldershot, or at the cenotaph in London. We now remember our fallen comrades, as part of the RLC, which we have been a part of for over 15 years. The ACC has gone. Let it go and let other people use and enjoy the building.
What do you think to these comments made to me over the petition. I am genuinely interested in your views.
Rob >:(
When they built the Titanic it was called progress, letting the bankers run our economy into the ground was progress a few years ago, there are differing types of progress, you will always get someone posting comments to get a reaction they are sad people with no real lives and are generally referred to as Trolls by the internet community, a common phrase you hear is don't feed the Trolls, just ignore them. One of the most important points in this argument has hardly been mentioned, the ACC memorial hall was not paid for by tax payers money it was built upon the generosity of the ACC members and donations, I can remember donating to the fund myself and at no time was I told "oh and by the way sometime in the future we will ignore your views and replace it with a Gurkha temple.
-
;D Well said Brian!
-
The ACC memorial hall is for all members of the acc, the Queens regiment does not exist anymore but they still have a perminent memmorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire along with meny other units that have disbanded since the end of WW2.
If it is in the way where is is at prescent why not take it down and have it rebuilt at the National Memorial Arboretum where it will be always open ( no 12ft fence ) and cared for by the dedicated staff.
If they really want a Ghurka Temple in Aldershot why not just build one.
http://www.nationalmemorialarboretum.org/
-
Although I have not seen them myself, I have seen a lot of photo's of the memorials at the national memorial arboretum, a lot of them are just a small plaque laid in the ground. the actual memorial looks brilliant and a true tribute to our fallen.
why oh why cant they just leave thing alone. I was under the belief that once a site was set aside as a memorial, by law it can never be altered. under bylaws.
Rob
-
REF, MY LAST COMMENT ABOUT THE GUARDS CHAPEL,I'VE had a rethink,why not convert one of the churches on Queens Avenue into a Hindu Temple as I'm pretty sure there are not enough paid up church going Christian sorts to justify three churches within a couple of miles of each other,especially with a good percentage of the garrison about to become non Christian.
Leave the garrison church and take over the rest. ::) :o
-
as ex member of the acc i feel that yet again the back room boys get hit we have lost friends
in the past wars and should have a place to remember them white hall think we shouldn't i have signthe pertion to stop this from happening and will stand along side any member to stop it
-
Hi Everybody,
I wrote to my MP concerning the redevelopment of the Memorial Hall, he writes back saying.
" Dear Mr Nicol,
Thank you for your recent email expressing concerns about proposed redevelopment plans for the Army Catering Corps Memorial Hall in Aldershot.
I have written to the revelent minister at the ministry of defence to ask about this, and I will write again when I have more inforation.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Levitt MP "
If every body wrote to there MP'S and they all wrote to MOD it would make a big difference.
Bob Nicol
-
;D ;) ;D I have received the following from a very reliable source.
For your information Ian - "I am led to believe the Memorial Hall is no longer going to be converted to a temple for the Gurkhas. However If this IS correct, it still does not secure the future of the hall/gardens.
I fully support that the Memorial should remain in its present state and not be converted for ANY other use. Consequently may I suggest you amend the wording of the petition to accentuate the fact that it should not be converted into ANYTHING and must remain as it is?
Please accept this in the spirit it is sent, the temple plan may be “off the table” but you can bet your bottom dollar there’ll be another plan replacing it pretty quickly!
More info just for your peace of mind – The Gurkhas rejected the proposal on a number of grounds; one of their main concerns was that it was a memorial! They were very sympathetic and didn’t want to see it converted anymore than the rest of us".
This is NOT confirmed and the Petition is still to be signed if you so wish. We must maintain this hall as a memorial to our fallen comrades!
As the Petition is "Live" I have no way of ameding it as my source suggests, however, MOD will be well aware of us now! Thanks to Bob Nicol's MP.
Like Bob I have written to my MP, Andy Burnham, as yet he hasn't replied but has received my mail
-
Hi all.
Never been so disappointed as I am with this campaign, there are only 271 signatures on the Government petition to save the memorial hall.
I started a link on facebook with 170+ members who have joined, OK they might not all have signed but from the rest of the ACC old and RLC only 100 more signatures. It will be resigned to the bin if it does not reach 5000 minimum, never to be seen by the Government.
I think from the response, all that the memorial hall is supposed to represent for the ACC. will be lost forever. It does not say a lot for Camaraderie amongst the ACC.
Rob :-[ :-[ :-[
-
Hi All,
I have just got a reply from MOD via my MP, it reads as follows
Dear Tom
Thank you for you letter of 30 January enclosing email from your constituent, Mr Robert Nicol of 29 Pictor Road, Buxton, regarding concerns over proposed change o use of the Army Catering Corps Memorial Hall in Aldershot.
As part of the redevelopment of Aldershot Garrison under Project Allenby/Connaught, the Army Catering Corps memorial all is due to be turned into a Hindu Mandir for the Gurkha's of 10 Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment when they move to St Omer Barracks, Aldershot from North Camp in Aldershot in 2011. This change of use was approved after an extensive evaluation period that involved many stakeholders, in the Army Chain of Command. However, given the concerns recently expressed by individual members of the Association, a further review of alternative options for the provision of the Mandir has been initiated. While no firm decision has yet been reached, it does appear that the most likely option at this stage will be to proceed on the basis of alternative focus or acts of commemoration and quiet contemplation by members of the Association, together with suitable arrangements for accommodation of the Association's memorabilia.
I hope this explains the current situation.
Kevin Jones MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans
As you can see from the reply, they intend going ahead with the plans as they stand, as it says in the letter individual members we need a concerted letter writing campaign, I have wrote to The Prime minister and the Secretary of State for Defence today, also the shadow Secretary Lord Astor.
Here are the Names at the MOD Please get writing.
Secretary of State for Defence
Rt Hon John Hutton MP
Minister of State for the Armed Forces
Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP
Minister for International Defence and Security
Rt Hon Baroness Ann Taylor
Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Equipment and Support
Quentin Davies MP
Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans
all can be reached at
Ministry of defence
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2HB
-
Forgot an address
Lord Astor
Shadow Minister for defence
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW
-
hi I have also setup a cause in facebook because it seems more people join causes it is found at;
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/235682/35409391?m=a041d4cc
lets see if we can raise more awareness.
regards
-
I am probably going to get a bit of flack for what I am about to say; I wonder how many members of the ACC / RLC past or present can actually say they have used the Memorial Hall as a place of quiet reflection, visited to pay respects to the Corps fallen, or indeed have ever been within it's doors?
I left the ACC in 1974 and have never been back to Aldershot since I left boy service in 1969. I don't recall ever being in there. However, I am very proud to have been a member of the Corps.
I hope I am wrong but I feel that most of the 'outrage' vented on this topic is due to the fact it is to be used as a Hindu temple and family center, with the emphasis on the temple. It will be used as a place of worship, and more to the point, probably be used by far more people.
As mentioned earlier in the thread it is currently being used to store films. Is this a worthier use of the hall than a place of worship?
Then again, it has also been pointed out that response to the No 10 petition has been rather less than overwhelming considering the numbers of people who have been proud to say 'We sustain'.
As Dave Allen used to say at the end of his shows 'may your God go with you'
-
The ACC Memorial Hall was built through donations from members of the ACC as a memorial to our War Dead as such there should be no debate.
You say you have never been in the building , but as a boy soldier you would have been told the history of it and had a Christmas concert in the hall.
If the powers that be said they was going to knock down the Guards memorial on Horseguards and replace it with a statue of Buddha you would join a long line of people wanting to complain.
I try to visit Aldershot every couple of years the last time it had a 12ft fence round it had to find orderly officer to open it up.
What you have to remember is that although the ACC does not exist anymore our War Dead are still Dead and our Book of remembrance should stay where it is along with the memorabilia from the Far East.
Bob
-
I understand the depth of feeling that you and many others have over this emotive issue but I am beginning to feel that it is not the fact that it is a change of use per se that has you outraged, but rather the fact it is to be used by another religion.
"If the powers that be said they was going to knock down the Guards memorial on Horseguards and replace it with a statue of Buddha you would join a long line of people wanting to complain."
Your words but my bold;
I resent your implication that I would join a long line of people wanting to complain. It is this kind of narrow minded and bigoted comment that serves your purpose no good at all. It merely illustrates your true feelings and, I fear, those comments border on racist.
As a boy soldier I have no recollection of ever attending a concert, Christmas or otherwise, neither do I recall ever being regaled with a history. However that was 40 years ago and I stand to be corrected if my memory has failed me.
Finally, I agree that the war dead are still dead and that the book of remembrance should be available to those who wish to look through it and honour those mentioned in it's pages. But surely a more fitting place could be found for it? The garrison church perhaps? Now I do remember going there most Sundays for church parade. Many churches and cathedrals have books of remembrance that are displayed under glass with a page being turned each day. The ACC has passed into the history books, it matters not a whit that the hall was paid for by donation. It too will eventually become 'not fit for purpose' , what then?
-
"I resent your implication that I would join a long line of people wanting to complain. It is this kind of narrow minded and bigoted comment that serves your purpose no good at all. It merely illustrates your true feelings and, I fear, those comments border on racist".
What on earth are you prattling on about "racist" "Narrow minded bigoted"
In answer to your question every year on the anniversary of the sinking of the sir galahad i attend and read the book of remembrance, as four fellow ACC members gave there lives that day, for you and our country.
not that i would expect a fool like you to even now there names.
It is not wrong to demand the same respect for the ACC dead as if it was the Para's, Guards, SAS, or any other memorial anywhere in the world.
You Sir do not understand the word proud, please don't use it unless you back it up. You should be ashamed
Rob >:(
-
Thanks Rob,
If he knew me he would never call me a Racist, he lost the debate as soon as he started name calling.
Bob
-
I did not call anybody a racist. I did say that the comments bordered on racism. I neglected to add religious intolerance. It seems that Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and, probably, Sikhs, Jews, Janes, Mormons et al would not be considered as suitable alternatives to a secure compound.
The point I was trying to make was that the use of emotive comments such as:
'What about turning The Guards Chapel into a centeral Mosque for all the governments islamic friends working in centeral London.'
'If they really want a Ghurka Temple in Aldershot why not just build one.'
'knock down the Guards memorial on Horseguards and replace it with a statue of Buddha'
'I am very aware of what our Memorial Hall is being used for at this moment in time, namely Army Kinema Services Library, this organisation very graciously took over the safe keeping of our memorial when they took up tenancy and have looked after it on our behalf.'
Would other tenants not do a good job of the safe keeping of the hall?
I would have no problem in joining your worthy efforts if you had confined your argument to the fact the hall was to be used for purposes other than which it was intended.
You are correct on one point though, I have to admit that I do not know the names of the chefs who died on the Sir Gallahad. Neither do I know the names of all the other brave men and women, irrespective of trade, who have perished, not just in that incident; but all others before and since.
However, I am indeed extremely proud to have served in the Army Catering Corps and I am proud to have served with many extraordinary soldiers.
On that note, I respectfully remain... etc
-
Gents,
Let me as the instigator of this thread bring you bang up to date...
I have received this email from the Controller ACC Association, my apologies for the delay in posting it as I have been on holiday:
"Dear Ian,
You will be delighted to know that Gerald Howarth MP, Conservative Member of Parliament for Aldershot and Shadow Defence Minister has taken up our case as a result of your petition being raised in the House of Commons.
He will visit the Memorial Hall with me and Brig MJ Paterson CBE, former Director of the ACC on Friday 6th March 2009 to see for himself what is at stake.
He has already challenged the Garrison Headquarters regarding the turning of a Christian Memorial into a Hindu Temple and is very concerned that the Hall which means so much to so many is being treated as just another MOD building to be disposed of as they see fit.
I have fully briefed him on the issues and will keep you informed as things progress. We are not 'out of the woods', but are doing all we can to save the Hall.
Mr Howarth said that you may inform members of his involvement with this issue".
Best wishes,
Tony Monk
AC Monk
Lt Col (Ret'd)
Controller ACC Association
We are being listened, this is thanks to all those of you who have written to MP's and signed the Petition and not prattled on like No1Burner! Well done and Thank You for showing Esprit de Corps in it's time of need
The Petition to date has 405 signatories on it, let's see if we can make it 500+ before the cut off date of 7th April.
As for Mr Price...please stop prattling on about Racism & so on you've completely an utterly not understood something so simple as supporting OUR ACC Association!
Try reading the thread thoroughly and not selected bits that suit your argument >:(
-
Ex ACC and I have only ever used the hall once, but thats not the point.....
I would have no problem with it as a temple, as long as those who use it remembered its origanal purpose and treated it with respect (I know this would happen) To be honest better than a store to hold film in!
Why did I sign the petition and send my emails to friends for support?
The total lack of respect to the ACC/RLC soldiers past and present, by not even having the good manners to ask our thoughts before making this decision.
And you boys need to learn to accept other opinions without reverting to name calling. But this is just my opinion.........
-
Thank you StiliPete, I agree.
Apologies to those who may have taken offense at my recent posts on this subject.
Good luck with your efforts.
-
;D 500 Signatories as at 0730hrs today. Thanks to all who have supported this petition so far. It is greatly appreciated ;D
-
;D Thanks to your support we have 550 signatories.
This Petition has just over a week to run before it closes, if you've not signed it please do so, if you're passing by and have never heard of the ACC....sign it anyway, every signature helps us!
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ACCMemorialHall/
-
Ian,
I have just sent an e-mail to my local MP asking for his support also have sent off the petition address to everyone in my address book.
Hope we get a few more signitures
Jerry Hunter
-
Thanks Jerry, That's gratefully appreciated ;D
-
The Petition closed on the 7th April with 562 signatures.
Many Thanks to all of you who took the time to support the campaign.
I'll keep you updated as to what's going on in the background from my MP for Leigh (Andy Burnham) & the MP for Aldershot ;D
-
it was my pleasure to support such a worthy cause, let hope it make a little difference.
Rob :) http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=43569998660 (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=43569998660)
-
What an exciting couple of month this has been. Firstly, well done and thank you to Ian Scott for starting the petition, although you may not have reached the total of names you were hoping for, your certainly helped build up the membership on this site.
This topic has had all sorts of comments send in, Pro & Contra, it was fun following it.
Jason got a kicking for his views, - Trolls appeared from nowhere and Bob Nicol´s Queen´s Reg. are younger than he is - formed Dec. 66. No 1 Burner got the wrath of a blowback an found an ally in Stillpete
and nobody requested that the Pitbull be muzzled.
Altogether the Agony Aunt page didn´t help win votes for the petition but it got chefs of all ages communicating.
On another subjekt in this site,I dared to mention that some people had forgotten the roots and was given a dressing down. As it was thought I had gone to far. That being the case, - why have the top ex-Boys, not signed the petition. Maybe Ian could bring up the matter at the next Officer & Senior Ranks dinner.
562 signings is a poor show for a Corps of our size and it wouldt´n surprise me if members didn´t check up on the list before deciding to sign or not. For my own inquisity I checked the list at least once a week and was pleased to see that my old squad N/O 64 - Dec. 66 had a presence of ca. 20%.
On this site are 800 members registered - so where were they all?
Hopefully we can have more participation on all subjects on this site in the future and not just one phrase comments, a bit of banter never hurt anyone, given and taken in the right attitude.
Regards to all
Jim O.
-
Jim, I'll be at the Hayling Island Bash in May and you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be asking the question why so many senior people buried their heads in the sand on this one! ::)
But as you say, my trawl through the ACC pages on Friends Reunited certainly brought many people to this Site and that can't be a bad thing...bringing more chefs in touch with each other, that's got to be a plus ;D
-
;D RESULT!
I have just taken a look at the ACC Association Site and found an update from the Controller ACC Association as follows:
The Project Team is now reviewing 6 options due to pressure from Director RLC and as a result of Ian Scott’s Petition to 10 Downing Street and a meeting of all parties is to be held in May 2009 to agree a way ahead. In the 3 months it was open the Petition received 562 signatures and attracted the interest of the Minister of State for Defence. A Parliamentary Question followed which led to Gerald Howarth Conservative MP for Aldershot picking up the case in our support. He visited the Hall in March 2009 and was adamant that its original purpose would be preserved for the veterans of the ACC. He subsequently took up the case with local military commanders.
Again, Thank You everyone who supported the cause
-
We should have asked them to rebuild St.Omer and reinstate the ACC while we were at it ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D well done lads and thanks to all who put the effort in.
-
Ian and all involved,
I wrote to my MP regarding the memorial Hall and have just recieved a reply (below)
Hope this helps
Jerry
Dear Jeremy,
Thank you for confirming your details and the email to Grant regarding the re-development plans for St Omer Barracks Aldershot. This is just a quick email, to inform you of where things stand.
The reassignment of the ACC War Memorial Hall is obviously a matter you care deeply about. In order to find the answers relating to this decision process I have already written to the Veterans Minister, Kevan Jones MP, asking him to look into this matter and explain the rationale behind this move. I shall of course forward any response I receive from him.
Once again thank you for your email to Grant, and please don’t hesitate to contact me again, regarding this or any other issue.
Yours sincerely,
Alexander H Richards
Parliamentary Researcher for Grant Shapps MP
020 7219 8599
chilverst@parliament.uk
www.shapps.com
-
>:(
Gents,
I have just returned from the ACC All Ranks Weekend at Lakeside Resort, Hayling Island and bring back some disturbing news
The AGM of the Association was held on Sunday, 10th May at Lakeside, this went on for almost 2 hours due to the Chairman, Colonel Phillipe Rossiter bringing the meeting up to speed with the future of the ACC Memorial Hall. The Chairman has been involved in meetings over the future of the Hall over the past 18 months or so.
Col Phillipe had been informed on Friday the 8th May that the GOC after much deliberation had taken the decision to hand over the Hall for use as a Gurkha Temple! This decision has not yet been ratified by MOD!
It would appear also that the Gurkha's would be carrying out religious ceremonies in the grounds of the Memorial Hall which will see the slaughtering of animals...from a Christian War Memorial Hall to a slaughterhose by the GOC's consent
In my personal opinion this is a political decision by the GOC in light of the recent bad publicity the Government has received over the status of the Gurkhas in Britain. The GOC has taken the easy option by not upsetting his political masters, however, it would appear that this whole exercise has not been thought out with any budgetary considerations i.e. The cost to re-locate the Central Library who currently occupy the Hall or the dismantling of our Shrine and finding a home for our memerobilia, some of which is stored in the Hall ...this is a move that will not come cheaply at all.
My view is that this is our fight and it is not over until it is over unless we as a Corp want to throw in the towel! You can be assured that centrally this is not the case and the Chairman will be taking the matter further with Gerald Howarth, the MP for Aldershot who has already offered us support.
The Central Library has until April 2010 to re-locate, those of you interested in keeping the pressure on can start to "Up The Ante!" I will be contacting newspaper Editors over the next week to see if they will support us and I will be writing to the GOC 4 Division (Aldershot). I'll try and be gentle with him!
I and the ACC Association welcome all the support that we can muster on this one.
-
Hi,
I have just sent an e-mail to my MP asking for an update and to put pressure on to help us in this cause
Jerry Hunter
-
Ian.
I have posted you note above on my facebook page about the hall.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43569998660 (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43569998660) There are 368 members so far
Here we go then,Sleaves rolled up, what is next.
Rob >:(
-
Address for GOC Aldershot:
Major General RL Kirkland CBE MA
HQ 4 Division
Steeles Road
Aldershot
Hants
GU11 2DP
Give him HELL...politely please!
-
It's one of those nights where I think I'll just check the corps website. I haven't been on it for a few weeks - maybe its just as well.
I guess I had my suspicions when 'several options were available' was used to describe available options during the last volley of bull****. I have no idea what other options were discussed or their locations.
I was always under the impression that the current batch of serving officers, some if not most formerly ACC, were supposed to uphold those things dear to the Corps and defend it to the last drop - at least thats what would have been asked of us on any given parade between 1941 -1993.
Its the betrayal of trust I feel from these people that is the most sickening rather than the honest intent of the Gurkha's - I'm sure they would appreciate any suitable premises for the temple, I doubt that most of them are even aware of what the intended arrangement means to the ACC.
I suppose for some it is easy to forget that most of our dead are still in the living memory of their families and most of the surviving members of the Corps today. Have these families been informed of this?
It's a smoke and mirrors production from the MOD to pacify politically correct fools. Ask Joanna Lumley in a TV interview where she is on this one and her answer would hardly diminish her chances of being left off a forthcoming honours list. Does she even know or care? Who outside the Corps does? Judging by the list of names on the petition some would query who inside the Corps does anyway?
I haven't visited the Memorial hall since I left College, but does that make me a co-conspirator in this by not doing so? I doubt it. If it was local to me I'm sure I would have.
I'm pretty sure in my own mind how this one will pan out and with our upper echelons deserting us in ever increasing numbers it won't be an amicable result. I just hope that our once great and good can learn to live with their near inactivity in this matter, and maybe appreciate its cost.
-
Well Said Stumpy608.
I today received the following from Mr Browns Government.
Read the Government's response
Thank you for your petition about the future of the Army Catering Corops Memorial Hall in St Omer Barracks, Aldershot.
The Government shares your sentiments about the distinguished service and selfless sacrifice of the Army Catering Corps personnel. The proposal to convert the Memorial Hall into a Hindu Mandir for the Gurkhas of 10 The Queen’s Own Ghurkha Logistic Regiment was approved after an extensive evaluation period that involved many stakeholders in the Army Chain of Command. However, the recent concerns that have been expressed about this decision have been acknowledged and, as you may be aware, a review of alternative options for the provision of the Mandir has been initiated by the Army.
I admit I am a bad speller and my grammer is a mess but surely the Government should get it right.
-
Amazing!!!
I got this response today also:
Read the Government’s response
Thank you for your petition about the future of the Army Catering Corops Memorial Hall in St Omer Barracks, Aldershot.
The Government shares your sentiments about the distinguished service and selfless sacrifice of the Army Catering Corps personnel. The proposal to convert the Memorial Hall into a Hindu Mandir for the Gurkhas of 10 The Queen’s Own Ghurkha Logistic Regiment was approved after an extensive evaluation period that involved many stakeholders in the Army Chain of Command. However, the recent concerns that have been expressed about this decision have been acknowledged and, as you may be aware, a review of alternative options for the provision of the Mandir has been initiated by the Army.
Must have done it as a job lot!
Great piece above Stumpy.
-
This is the "gentle" letter I sent to the GOC for which I still await a reply!
Major General R L Kirkland CBE MA
Headquarters 4th Division
Steeles Road
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU11 2DP 12 May 2009
Army Catering Corps War Memorial Hall
I write to you with some concern regarding what I believe is your recommendation and support for the ACC War Memorial Hall being converted to a Gurkha Temple.
You are probably not aware that the idea of converting our War Memorial Hall for this purpose is opposed by 562 people who signed my 10 Downing Street On-Line Petition and who are absolutely disgusted that their War Memorial has been cast aside by yourself and the Aldershot planners as, "Of No Importance To Them".
Let me tell you Sir, it is important to those of us who served in the Army Catering Corps and who lost comrades along the way! Some we remember as recently as the Falklands War and Northern Ireland. It is important to us that their sacrifice is remembered. Do not believe for one minute that because we are now a defunct Corps that we will make no objections to these insensitive recommendations or your mis-guided support of this project.
This War Memorial Hall was paid for by the subscriptions and donations of Officers and Men of the Army Catering Corps, when they made these little did they think that one day it would not be recognised as a Memorial in a Christian country by a serving General in the British Army.
I would be very interested in seeing the costings for the proposed conversion of the Hall, the move of the Central Library, (who currently occupy the Hall) and the move of the ACC Shrine and artefacts. I doubt that there would be very little cost difference in building a new temple in a place where the religious slaughter of animals can take place without offending the sanctity of what the War Memorial Hall was built for.
Are we to waste more public money? The Central Library has not been incumbent for more than 5 years having moved to Aldershot at considerable cost to the public purse
It is of my opinion that you have made this decision on political grounds in light of the recent poor publicity the Government has received regarding the Gurkhas and not on sound ethical nor business grounds.
Perhaps if this was not a political decision you would share the thinking behind your decision with me, because I have 562 very interested parties waiting for an answer to this.
Yours sincerely,
Ian E SCOTT FIH
Warrant Officer Class One ACC (Retd)
As you can see I let him off lightly!
-
I have received a response from the GOC, as it contains my home address I shall not scan it to the Site
The text reads:
Dear Mr Scott,
Thank you for your letter of 12 May, setting out your concern over the provision of the Gurkha Mandir for the soldiers of the 10 Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment. The decision not to change the contracted position of 2002, to refurbish the ACC Memorial Hall was taken after extensive assessment and a full Options View involving - among others - the ACC Association and Director RLC. It was not taken lightly, but in full understanding of the financial implications of re-provision as well as the consequence to other important requirements that would otherwise not be affordable. A key part of my finding is that DRLC and the ACC Association be engaged in developing a plan to re-site the memorabilia and artefacts to further strengthen the links between the ACC and Aldershot (if that is what they so wish), perhaps by improving the existing memorial at Ramillies Copse and within the Garrison Church. The latter is particularly important, given its role in delivering the ACC Association Memorial Service last year.
I understand that you will recieve a formal response to your recent petition, and I hope my comments provide further context to that reply. My staff will remain engaged with the Association, who I am sure will keep you abreast of developments as they evolve.
Yours Sincerely,
Lamont Kirkland
Now is that a bloody non-answer to my letter or what?
The man lies like a politician cringing over his expenses claims.
The ACC Association were NOT called to a meeting in respect of the Options Review, the DRLC was.
You have not been stitched up by your Association on this one, but by politics! >:(
-
Hi,
I have just recieved a reply from my MP who looked into my request re the memorial hall. he corrisponded with the Veterans Minister Kevan Jones MP and below is the reply he sent my MP.
“ Dear Grant
Further to my letter of 5 May I am now in a position to provide a substantive response to the concerns expressed by your constituent, Mr Jeremy Hunter, about the future of the Army Catering Corps Memorial Hall in St Omer Barracks, Aldershot.
The review to which I referred to in my earlier letter has now concluded and, after a very detailed and careful consideration of the option, the Army have taken the decision to proceed on the basis of the current plan and convert the Memorial Hall into a Hindu Mandir. The temple will be used by the soldiers and families of the 10 Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Corps on their relocation to St Omer Barracks, Aldershot. This option is fully-funded, can be delivered on time alongside the ongoing redevelopment of the St Omer Barracks Village, and is entirely fit for purpose in terms of location and access. The other options considered during the review would have had major financial implications imposed considerable difficulties on those wishing to attend the Mandir and have, with some reluctance, been discounted.
The ACC Association have been closely engaged in the review and I hope they will understand why the decision has been taken. I am very aware of the impact this will have on them. Therefore, the Army in consultation with the Association are now looking at what might be done to strengthen the links with them in Aldershot, and in particular where to deploy the artefacts and memorabilia from the Memorial Hall which meets the needs of the Association.
I am sorry to send what I know will be a disappointing reply but I hope this explains the situation.
Kevan Jones MP”
Again They are saying that the ACC association have been involved but as Ian has said they have not.
So Ian is right its politics all the way
-
Still not one of these so called gentlemen understand the concept that the hall was paid for by the ACC ass members, not the MOD.
Also the consultation has not involved the ass or its members.
When is someone from the ACC ass going to step in and do something about this before its to late.
Someone who has some clout needs to put the veterans minister and these MP's right.
Rob ;D
-
Considering the bitter disappointment reflected in recent replies, the importance to the Corps history and the potential damage to the Association itself, I have to ask why, if the Association were not consulted during the negotiations, they have not issued a full statement regarding this very important issue.
By my own admission I was not in the days pay scheme during my service, although like most people in the Corps I do care. The Association needs to be seen to responding to this in the strongest way possible.
It has taken just 16 years to lose our cap badge, our barracks and now our Memorial Hall. How long will it take until we are just a dusty old flag at the back of the Garrison Church. Isn't it time to stop the rot?
Note that the use of the hall has been decided before the current occupant has been rehoused. How second rate does that seem? Is this a true reflection of how the Corps was perceived by the MOD?
Please start to show the leadership entrusted to you and fight this - and be seen to fight this. The Gurkhas had an actress in her sixties to fight their corner recently, can we not do anything with any of the retired elite we used to spend hours peel eyeing and sizing for? Balls in your court Boys....
-
I,m some what confused as this was on the ACC wedsite:
The interested parties met on 24th October 2008 and the Project Team was asked to consider an alternative proposal. They subsequently responded that there was no alternative and that the plans would go ahead.
The Project Team is now reviewing 6 options due to pressure from Director RLC and as a result of Ian Scott’s Petition to 10 Downing Street and a meeting of all parties is to be held in May 2009 to agree a way ahead. In the 3 months it was open the Petition received 562 signatures and attracted the interest of the Minister of State for Defence. A Parliamentary Question followed which led to Gerald Howarth Conservative MP for Aldershot picking up the case in our support. He visited the Hall in March 2009 and was adamant that its original purpose would be preserved for the veterans of the ACC. He subsequently took up the case with local military commanders.
It appears here that the ACC Association did meet?
-
In response to Pete's previous post, the Association was NOT consulted in the final stages...DRLC attended and was not accompanied by anyone from the Association. DRLC fought our corner but as we can see (so far) was over-ruled.
Brian (Fred) Schwarzer has sent the following to the GOC (Aldershot)
If you care please write to the GOC...NOW! ;)
Mr B.F Schwarzer
The General Officer Commanding
Headquarters 4th Division
Steeles Road
Aldershot
Hampshire GU11 2DP 4th June 2009
Dear Sir
ACC Memorial Hall
You are no doubt aware of the concerns being raised by ex-members of the Army Catering Corps regarding your decision of its future within St Omer Barracks.
The decision you have made, to have it converted into a temple for the Ghurkas, is a desecration of a War Memorial to fallen comrades who paid the supreme sacrifice. This decision cannot be the single action of a serving soldier, effectively having no regard for the fallen. Serving soldiers of the day helped raise subscriptions to build it.
Again your decision, I believe politically motivated, effectively leaves us with no physical memorial to the Corps within Aldershot Garrison. I believe you may address the Copse at the old Ramilles Barracks as a memorial, not many soldiers of my era and of those living to-day would know of its existence. St Omer is and should be where our lasting legacy in the Army should be.
I have had the privilege of serving along side the Gurkhas , and have the utmost respect and admiration for them. Their plight at the moment highlights them heavily in the British Public. In this context, what a fitting tribute it would be to have a brand new purpose built temple for them, not a desecrated War Memorial. Funding will be found or allocated for a new officers mess, why not a temple. This could be used for all serving Ghurka soldiers and their veterans and families.
Our own Association committee are determined to fight on perhaps to no avail, the Governments response was typical of the way they are running the country. Only public opinion has brought them to their senses regarding the Gurkhas.
The support we are getting from the people we most needed it has been at best very poor, the Catering Corps no longer exists so what. Does history no longer play apart of a soldier’s life to-day? It would appear not.
I write these comments as an ex member of the Army Catering Corps, to express my serious concerns regarding the way we have been treated. If the decision goes ahead I will have no physical place to call the heart of my Corps history, and no real memory that St Omer Barracks existed.
Yours sincerely
Brian F Schwarzer
(ex Warrant Officer Class 1 Army Catering Corps)
-
I'm still confused as to why on the ACC association website there is not mention of this news? Like stampy wrote, why is the association not making more of this and why have they not done some sort of press release?
-
At Last A Reply From My Very Busy MP
Dear Mr Scott
Thank you for emailing to me about your concerns about proposed changes to the use of Army Catering Corps War Memorial Hall in Aldershot.
I will investigate this matter on your behalf and write to you more fully in due course.
I am grateful that you have brought this important matter to my attention.
Yours sincerely
Andy Burnham MP
burnhama@parliament.uk
10 Market Street
Leigh
WN7 1DS
tel: 01942 682 353
fax:01942 682 354
-
>:(
My apologies to everyone after a long effort the following has just been released by the ACC Association. I am sorry we could not win this battle.
Members will be aware that as part of the redevelopment plans for St Omer Barracks, the ACC War Memorial Hall has been earmarked for reassignment as a Gurkha Temple and Families Centre to accommodate the needs of the Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment when it moves from its present barracks in North Camp, in 2011.
The Hall was completed in 1956 after ten years of fund raising from Army Catering Corps soldiers and officers. It was built to fulfil two main purposes; to provide a hall for recreational and sporting purposes and a shrine to commemorate the loss of 775 ACC soldiers and officers during the Second World War. This shrine is an integral part of the building and during discussions between the MOD Project Managers and the Association, through the Director Royal Logistic Corps it was made clear that a Hindu temple and a Christian shrine could not be collocated as it would be inappropriate for both groups.
The interested parties met on 24th October 2008 and the Project Team was asked to consider an alternative proposal. They subsequently responded that there was no alternative and that the plans should go ahead. Ian Scott’s Petition to 10 Downing Street in the 3 months it was open received 562 signatures and attracted the interest of the Minister of State for Defence. A Parliamentary Question followed which led to Gerald Howarth Conservative MP for Aldershot picking up the case in our support. He visited the Hall in March 2009 and was adamant that its original purpose should be preserved for the veterans of the ACC and subsequently took up the case with local military commanders.
A meeting of all parties was held in April 2009 to agree a way ahead and the Project Team produced 6 options due to pressure from the ACC Association Chairman, Director RLC and Gerald Howarth MP. As a result the GOC 4 Division confirmed that the only practical solution was to go ahead with the original plans for a Hindu Temple. This resulted in a flurry of protest letters from members and the Chairman ACC Association, all to no avail. The bottom line is that the ACC gave up the lease and ownership of the hall to the MOD in 1993 as it was unable to afford the upkeep as a separate Corps. This was with an agreement that the ACC/RLC Training Centre would keep the hall for its original purpose and whilst they were the tenant everything was fine. However as we all know the School of Catering moved out of St Omer in 2009 and anticipating this another sympathetic tenant was found in the Services Central Library. They have subsequently been served an eviction notice and the Association cannot continue to maintain its presence without a suitable tenant.
The next steps are to make sure that our memorials and artefacts are preserved in a way appropriate to the memory of our war dead and the training legacy in St Omer Barracks. The Association Executive Council will meet on 13 Jul 09 to consider options and to plan negotiations with the Project Team and the Gurkhas. We have been assured that the Garrison is sympathetic to our needs and that funding will be available. This page will updated in August when a way forward becomes clearer.
Anyone interested in expressing a view is requested to write to:
DON'T HOLD BACK ON ANY COMMENTS YOU WISH TO MAKE TO THE ASSOCIATION OR THE MOD!
ACC Association (Memorial Hall)
Dettingen House
Princess Royal Barracks
Deepcut
Surrey
GU16 6RW
-
What is the saying AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN (Blah Blah) WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
It needs to be rewritten, You will be forgotten, ignored by you association betrayed by your replacements (RLC) F**kING Disgraceful.
Any of those who have made this decision, should NEVER utter those words again ever.
Your disgusted
Rob >:( >:( >:(
-
The Bottom Line
Finally we have it. It isn't our Memorial Hall after all and hasn't been since "the ACC gave up the lease and ownership to the MOD in 1993" on grounds of cost - what a betrayal!
That sounds a bit like giving up a second hand car because you can't afford to run it. It's a bit like a second marriage where you give up one of your kids because it doesn't fit in with the new furniture. I was lead to believe that our Corps had not died but had merged into the RLC - i.e. Are the RAOC members war dead being treated with such wanton abandon? Surely the RLC has a debt of responsibility and duty of care to all of its core elements and therefore should have fought our corner harder and better than it has(how many senior officers past and present signed the petition? - there were some very noticeable absentees).
Then there is the matter of the 6 options produced by the project team what exactly were these options?
Lets face it - the battle for the Hall was lost in 1993. The battle now is to ensure that the shrine and all remaining items pertaining to the Corps are rehoused in a suitable facility with the full support of the Corps behind it Assuming the Garrison is prepared to fund the relocation (as it should due to the MOD having received a perfectly good building from us so cheaply) the forthcoming AEC meeting needs to ensure that the best and not cheapest option is decided upon and fought for with venom in any negotiations it has with the project team. The relocation itself should be non temporary and protected from becoming the soft target the Memorial Hall was allowed to become - nothing less is acceptable.
-
perhaps when you see in the media," He was only a cook in the army",you can see why nobody care,especially the rlc,try moving their raoc,museum from deepcut,its seems that the people that ran the acc asscociation at that time should hang their heads in shame.
-
I think that there seems (rightly) to be a lot of anger over this, and some aimed at the ACC association for not doing enough. I feel that this is a little unfair when less than 600 people signed the petition to keep the hall in the ACC.
I believe this gave the the people making this decision no other option, as there is no real support.
Its been mention other Regiments & Corps being more important than the ACC? Lets face it we as a Corp have let ourselves down, when less ex members (we must number in the 10's of 1000's ) sign to show support than died serving their country in the 2WW then we should hang our heads in shame
There are many meaningless stupid petitions on the No10 website which number in the 1000's yet we can't hit 600?
-
I recently had to ask for help, from the machine that is veterans agency, a chap came to my home an uttered those self same words ONLY Army Catering corps, ONLY a cook. "We Deal with those who have seen real service".To this day we have never had any respect from any other regiment, corps, section of the armed forces. We were never seen as worthy of Royal. A Joke then and a joke now, Got rid of, replaced by a corps that will never support there former colleges from the ACC.
It is a very bitter pill to take, when the MOD, armed forces, associations, government treat you as if you no longer exist.
They should do as they wish, They will do anyway.
Rob
It strips your pride away from you.
-
Hi Pitbull
Sorry to here you are in need of help and are going through what sounds like a sh*t time,
I served in the ACC and then the RLC for 22 years I am now in the TA, and have sympathy with you and how you have been treated. Up until my last 2 years of service I believed in the ACC/RLC as a family and it would look after its own.
Sadly I found out that this isn't always the case and the can be black & white in its outlook, many friends I thought I had very quickly deserted me, tried me and condemned me prior to a CM I was unfortunately facing.
However I also saw the other side, all from people not in my Corp! It was them who stood by me, supported me and fought for me to correct the wrongs before and then after I was cleared of all charges at my CM.
I guess that's the problem in many case, its often how we see ourselves, rather than than how others see us, which creates this disrespect.
I'm with 106 Regt RA (V) and our CO makes the point of including the work that the chefs do , every time he addresses the regt.
I'm truly sorry that you have had dealings with what is clearly a small minded arse and you should be proud of the fact that you have served your country! There are many people out there past and present who have nothing but utmost respect for Army caterers and the job they do.
This may be a silly question, but have to asked the ACC association for help?
-
Pitbull and Still Pete,
I am sorry to hear of your troubles etc, I left in 1986 and not for the first time I find myself finacially emmbarrased and out of work I thought about contacting the association or the veterans agency this time as it is quite bad, but after reading your posts I have shelved that idea. It seems since the day I left the ACC i have fought every step of the way to get on in civvie street with no help even when I was leaving and was having trouble with the local council the familys office would not help me they just wanted to know how quick I could leave my quarters. I have always tried to sort my own mess out but I always had in the back of my head jerry if it gets bad then the corps will help guess I was wrong.
I wish you all the best guys
we were and still are The proud ACC They will never ever take that away from us
Jerry
-
I've sent a private reply to Jerry regarding ACC Association help
-
Hi Jerry
Please don't give up on the Association or Army Benevolent fund, my experiences was with the RLC as a serving soldier and my point was that sometimes we (caterers) as a body are not always as willing as others parts of the Army to help and support each other.
I think a point made clear in the stunning lack of support to save the hall (I am not that passionate with it, but signed the petition and sent out many emails to friends and family because I could see others were and felt that I should support the ACC)
For those who worked hard to keep the hall by writing and lobbing their MP's , I'm truly sorry that it wasn't given the support it should have had.
Jerry
Hopefully the association can help you,
-
With it being the 25th anniversary of our joining the Corps, and being unable to go in November last year for the farewell visit that was organised, my mate Taff Jenkins and I went to visit St Omer last week. We knew that it was due for demolition but neither of us realised how swift it would be. All that is left is the tower block. Where the square was has new buildings on it. All the accommodation blocks, NAAFI and everything else are gone, and even the bridge at the back of the camp that led to the canal has been demolished. I must admit to feeling quite sad when I saw the state of a place I have great memories of. I had some of the happiest times of my life and made some good mates at St Omer.
Since April 1993 we have lost our Corps, our depot and soon our memorial hall. I am deeply saddened by all of this. It will be as if the Corps and the thousands of chefs that came through the gates at St Omer were never there. In my view any memorial to the ACC should be in Aldershot on the site of St Omer - not in Worthy Down, Grantham or anywhere else.
-
Look lads life as to go on,our boys are being killed in afganistan for what reason? the memorial hall is of little significance in comparison,life is to short,and life goes on,we are just pawns on a chess board and our views mean nothing to brown.com
-
Dave's entitled to his views that's democracy in action.
I've certainly got mine...Dave summed it up when he mentioned Afghanistan.
Lest We Forget so easily?
I think the majority view on this Site is a resounding No!
That's why the Memorial Hall is important.
The operative word here being MEMORIAL!
-
That is the whole point Dave, the memorial hall is there to remind those who have the power, in the past and the future that our lads are being killed in conflicts that they have sent them to.
You cant wipe out history, That is what they are trying to do, The ACC has gone, our training college has Gone, the only thing left is the Memorial Hall. If the MOD get their way all Forces catering will be run by civilian contractors, So watch out the RLC your next. once the memorial Hall has gone there is nothing to remind anyone that we the ACC ever existed. its Wrong and no amount of life goes on or moving on with the times, will ever change my mind. It is our job as survivor's to make sure they the DEAD are never forgotten for giving the ultimate sacrifice.
As I have said before lets see the MOD & Brown Try and wipe out the Para Regiments memorials or the marines,SAS Memorials, believe me they would not lie down and just take it. We have history and it should be remembered.
Rob :)
Our Memorial hall That we paid for should be kept where it is, a permanent reminder to the ACC fallen.
-
Well i suppose you are right in what you are saying,and it is true that you cant wipe out history.
I totally agree that the RLC will be next,and my daughter has just joined them.Its funny how the basic catering training has changed though,everything tought is so very basic,not like in our days which was then quite in depth teaching,its frozen pasties and sausage rolls now sigh!
-
The following is taken from the ACC Association Website:
Members will be aware that as part of the redevelopment plans for St Omer Barracks, the ACC War Memorial Hall has been earmarked for reassignment as a Gurkha Temple and Families Centre to accommodate the needs of the Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment when it moves from its present barracks in North Camp, in 2011.
Anyone who has been to the Hall lately will realise that the Library Service has closed the doors of the Hall in order to pack up prior to moving out early next year. The Chairman of the ACC Association, Col Philippe Rossiter and Lt Col Nigel Shepherd RLC, Chief Instructor of the Defence Food Services School have been busy negotiating with the Garrison and Gurkha Chaplain General regarding the preservation of our memorial plaques and distribution of artefacts from the Hall.
Details have yet to be confirmed, but the main agreement is as follows:
· The cement plaque commemorating our war dead inside the shrine will be left on display.
· The brass plaques dedicating and rededicating the Hall will remain on view outside the shrine.
· The bronze commemoration plaque will remain on display on the outside of the building.
· The brick “Angel” on the outside of the tower will be preserved but covered, to enable uncovering
if in future the building is once again re-allocated to a different purpose.
· A small “historic” ACC display will be shown on the left side of the entrance hall.
· Items from the Memorial Garden will be relocated to DFSS in Worthy Down and also used to create
an area outside the main gate to St Omer Barracks depicting the history of Catering training at the site.
· The unit boards and portraits etc will be removed from the interior of the Hall.
· Some religious items it is hoped, will be relocated into the Garrison Church of All Saints or the small
church at Worthy Down.
Funding will be found from the Project to enable this work to be done. The ACC Association Executive Council is satisfied that everything possible has been done to preserve the dignity of our war dead and to acknowledge the contribution made to Army Catering training in St Omer Barracks. There is much work to be done on the detail and members will be kept informed as things progress.
Anyone interested in expressing a view is requested to write to:
ACC Association (Memorial Hall)
Dettingen House
Princess Royal Barracks
Deepcut
Surrey
GU16 6RW
or E-Mail: controller@accassociation.org
-
It is a shame that all us ex ACC are going to loose the last thing that is left of St Omer. It was a wonderfull place and when you walked through the doors you felt proud to be part of a wonderfull team. I was proud when I took my parents on a guided tour in 1974. It should not happen. The goverment should not let it happen.
-
Bids will close on the 12th April 2010
As you know the ACC War Memorial Hall is being handed over to the Garrison who are redeveloping it as a Hindu Temple for the Gurkhas in Aldershot.
As a result we have to remove all of the items hanging therein except for a small display which describes the history and purpose of the Hall.
All references to the ACC fallen will remain in place and on display to visitors once the Hall is complete. A quiet place of remembrance will be created outside the front of the Hall.
If you wish to bid for any of the items displayed at my Picassa Web Album please respond by e-mail identifying your bid and the price bid. All proceeds will go to “Help for Heroes”.
Bidding closes at 1200 hrs on Mon 12 Apr 10.
Where there are conflicting bids the Controller ACC Association will contact each bidder to settle it between them, with the winner contacting the Controller with the final bid price. He will then verify this with the other bidder(s).
Winning bidders will be informed and arrangements made for collection.
Any items unsold will be disposed of by other means.
Link to Picasa Web Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/ACCAssociationPhotoAlbums?feat=email
If the direct link fails please copy and paste it into your internet browser.