Arborfield Old Boys Association
AOBA
Arborfield Life
Our reunions
Our reunions are held annually at Arborfield. Old Boys from all around the world regularly attend these functions which are normally held over the three days of a long weekend in June or July.
Traditionally each Reunion has commenced with a social evening on the Friday of the Reunion Weekend giving attending members the opportunity to catch up with each others news, to exchange stories and tales of days gone past whilst quaffing a few jugs of ale late into the night.
On the Saturday morning after a traditional Army breakfast the Association would form up for a Drum Head ceremony at the Arborfield Memorial Garden (where the old Guard Room used to stand) and then march proudly onto the hallowed grounds of the Camp Square to be inspected by a guest reviewing officer.
After the morning parade a Barbecue Lunch gives the opportunity for yet more chin wagging and story telling but with the added attraction of allowing Members wives and families to join in.
The highlight of the Reunion Weekend is the Regimental Dinner held on the Saturday Evening. Towards the end of the Dinner when everyone is well fed and watered it is not unusual to hear the whole assembly break out into a well aired rendition of 'The Reds'!
After one more plate filling Army Breakfast on the Sunday morning the Reunion ends with a Church Service and members disperse once again to the four corners of the globe.
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Arborfield Old Boys Association 1999 -
Reunions -
It could have been yesterday, years fell away,
He was older, his hair now was thinning
and grey.
Spectacles masked the fresh features recalled,
The figure more rounded
than in days of old.
Lines of experience where none had been,
Etched deeply around
the eyes, once young and keen,
Yet the stance, still erect, proclaimed to the crowd,
Here stood an old soldier, distinguished and proud.
The years had not dimmed his
mind, quick now, as then,
That broad, ready smile reappearing again
As when in his
youth, alert, full of life,
The wit and the humour, as sharp as a knife.
But close
your eyes. Listen. Abandon the years,
You're back in the barrack room, and it appears
That you've slipped back to when you were one happy band,
Sharing a bond only few
understand.
The banter, the chat, cherished memories reviewed,
Recalled escapades,
old time friendships renewed,
The camaraderie felt when back with old friends,
For
the moment you're all seventeen once again.
These are the feelings you get if you
go
To the Old Boys Reunions and encounter those
You had pondered upon since you all
flew the nest,
Those unanswered questions, at last laid to rest.
So pause and reflect
when you come to decide,
Did the memory of time spent there fill you with pride?
Now, as you're approaching the autumnal years,
Do you recollect times more happy
than these?
If you don't, take the plunge, for there'll be no regret
Of ignored opportunities,
later to fret
About what might have been if only you'd gone
To that missed Arborfield
Old Boys Reunion!
© TeeCee
