Last month, Maj (Retd) Geordie Wright-Rivers had the honour and pleasure of visiting 98 year-old Corps veteran Dennis Tocknell in Dursley, Gloucestershire to present him with his newly refurbished medals, new beret and Corps tie.
Dennis enlisted into REME in Apr 1943 moving directly into civilian digs in Staines due to a lack of available military accommodation. He landed at Gold Beach before seeing action in Arras and beyond for the remainder of WWII. He demobbed in 1947 and enjoyed a very successful civilian career as an Engineer and Project Manager.
The small ceremony was attended by many of Dennis’ devoted family and a variety of enthusiastic veterans from the local area. The Dursley Veterans’ Group meets regularly, drawn together by wonderful volunteers Anita (Frankie) McKenna and Sapper (ahem!) veteran Rocky Rock who very kindly brought Dennis to our attention. Medals and formalities over, everyone enjoyed a “proper” NAAFI Break with plentiful brews and sausage or bacon baps (Brown or Red sauce remains a conundrum that continues to be unresolved!).
The REME Family is very grateful to Dennis for his contribution to the Corps and we wishes him well for the future. Arte et Marte.
Scribe: Major (Retired) Geordie Wright-Rivers
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