Garden party celebration for Royal Artillery Association 70th anniversary

The branch was formed on June 10, 1946 and the 70th anniversary was commemorated on Sunday, June 5, with the gathering in Biggleswade.

The Queen, who is the association’s Captain General, was represented by a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Ruth Bell, and also attending was the Deputy of Mayor of Biggleswade, Cllr Michael North.

Among those present were Captain Allan Solly, Royal Artillery, membership secretary of the Royal Artillery Association, Ken Page, the longest serving member of the Biggleswade branch, Ted McKenzie, branch chairman, Terry Harragan, branch president, and WO2 (BSM) Rob Matthews, Battery Sergeant Major of 49 (Inkerman) Battery Royal Artillery.

The Royal Artillery Association (RAA) was established in 1920 for the purpose of supporting serving or retired members of the Royal Regiment Of Artillery (“Gunners”), furthering Gunner comradeship and looking after the welfare of ex-members of the Royal Artillery and their dependants.

The Biggleswade branch has 32 members and meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 2.30pm in the Biggleswade Sea Cadets Hall on Station Road.

If you or anyone you know is serving with or has served with the Royal Artillery, or if you would like further information, contact chairman Ted McKenzie on 07900 806 235 or email [email protected] or

president Terry Harragan on 01767 682 284 email [email protected]

The association aims to maintain contact between past and present members of the Royal Artillery, fostering mutual friendship between them and providing for social gatherings, fostering esprit de corps, comradeship and the welfare of the Royal Artillery and preserving its traditions.