February sapper mag:Layout 1 21/1/09 16:22 Page 60
Sunday dawned to heavy rain and high winds, and a
sky that threatened more. This caused some concern
amongst the Committee, as there was no wet weather pro-
gramme for the Drum-Head Service at our memorial cairn
on the site of Old Park Barracks. However, “time spent in
recce is time well spent”. We discovered that the Dover
Harbour Board (who now owns the area) had built a large
smoking area since our last visit which turned out to be an
excellent substitute, chilly but dry. Our Drum-Head serv-
ice was conducted by the Rev. David Ridley from St.
Mary’s Church Dover. We were joined, as our guests, by Junior Leaders Branch special guests from the Duke
four under-officers, and the purser, Lt Col Atkinson, from of York’s’ Military School, with the Rev David Ridley.
the Duke of York’s Royal Military School for the service
and for lunch afterwards.
After a solid lunch kindly provided by the Dover Harbour Board it was time for the goodbyes for another year with promises
to meet for our big year, the 10th anniversary celebrations. Branch members are urged to note this special event in their diaries.
REA Benevolence, By Lt Col (Retd) John McLennan, Controller, REA
“To give away money is an easy matter and is in any man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, when to give it and how
large and for what purpose is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter………..” Aristotle -- died 320BC
Background: The need for REA Benevolence is defined as “severe financial distress”. The Corps is able to assist the
“Serving Sapper (including TA), the former Sapper, his wife, widow, partner and their dependent children” where the need is
proven and real. The REA Council has delegated the distribution of Benevolence to the REA Benevolence Committee. This
Committee receives and processes about 1200 applications per year for help with a budget of more than £0.5 millions. The
Committee consists of former members of the Corps and ladies with experience in case working with SSAFA Forces Help and
the Citizens Advice Bureau. The Committee would be unable to fulfil its function without the dedication of the many volunteer
caseworkers of SSAFA Forces Help and The Royal British Legion. These caseworkers around the country act as our “eyes and
ears” and highlight the financial and physical needs of the applicants. The sort of help the Committee authorises is for mobility
aids for the aged, such as scooters and stair-lifts, relief from severe debt where for example eviction is imminent and the care and
monitoring of children where families have sadly broken up. Children of the Corps are of particular concern to the Committee
and help with general expenses and education is given where possible.
Source of Funds. It is easier to get £10 from ten charities then £100 from one. We rely on financial assistance being given
from many other sources such as trade unions, livery companies and other grant giving and support organisations such as
Combat Stress, Veterans Aid and Poppy Scotland. It would be prudent to mention the various areas where the Trustees of the
REA feel it would be inappropriate to use our limited funds. These areas include legal fees, private medical treatment, airline
flights and anything to do with automobiles.
Weekly Allowances. In addition where there is financial need for the elderly the Committee authorises weekly allowances
and nursing home top up fees.
Christmas Grants. With great administrative effort HQ
REA process in the region of 900 Christmas Grants to those
in hospital or homes over Christmas and widows of the
Corps. Also those being treated under Combat Stress and
those living alone over this sensitive and lonely time. Many
letters of appreciation are received from this fragile area of
the Corps in recognition of not having been forgotten. This
of course includes our In Pensioners at The Royal Hospital
Chelsea.
Where do we receive our funds from? Through the
generosity of the serving sapper REA benevolence receives
50 percent of the Days Pay Scheme for which no amount of
gratitude would be sufficient. In addition, we receive lega-
cies, donations and investment income to support the ongo-
REA Chairman Maj Gen John Moore-Bick CBE DL ing benevolent work of the Corps.
presenting a Christmas grant to In-Pensioner John Carbis Further details can be obtained from HQ REA telephone number
01634 847005.
60
The Sapper REA
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68