Groups

The Association recognises that, whilst the Branches provide the focal points for members in a local area to get together, there are also members who wish to meet to pursue or renew a common interest but who are scattered more widely. Such interests may be in a leisure area or may arise from a common trade grouping or unit background while serving in the Corps. Such a group of members is designated a Special Interest Group by the Association.

The REME Association Caravan and Camping Club was formed in 1984 to bring together like minded individuals.  It is open to any serving or retired member of REME and their families.  Membership is also open to anyone who has served in the Armed Forces.

The club rallies 8 times a year across the country.  Rallies start on Wednesday and end on Tuesday.

For more information, or to join please contact the Chairman:

Mr Lloyd Le Tiec: lloyd.letiec666@ntlworld.com

Or visit the Face Book page: REME Assn Caravan & Camping Club

Arborfield Old Boys Association.  The Arborfield Old Boys Association was formed in 1948 and it exists today to represent all the 50,000 or so young men and women who passed through the gates of the Army Apprenticeship establishments at Arborfield from 1939 to 2004.  These were:

Army Technical School (Boys)                  1939 to 1946

Army Apprentice School                             1946 to 1966 – in October the cap badge changed from the bespoke Apprentice School to that of the REME

Army Apprentice College                           1966 to 1981

Princess Marina College                            1982 to 1995

Army Apprentice College                           1995 to 2000

Army Technical Foundation College        2000 to 2004 – it finally closed its doors in August 2004.

The Association is free to join and has an annual subscription of £15.  It does not matter how your career progressed (or didn’t), as long as you attended the Arborfield Apprentice School,  Arborfield Apprentice College, Princess Marina College or the Army Technical Foundation College at Arborfield either as an apprentice or as permanent staff, you are eligible.

The Association holds an annual reunion on the second weekend in July each year, which is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends.  The reunion is held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire where, after a short parade and a church service, it moves to a local hotel for the Annual General Meeting and the Gala dinner.  Special attention is given to those who are celebrating the 50^th anniversary.  It’s a very special and well supported weekend.

The Association also publishes the Arborfield Old Boys Association Newsletter (OBAN) three times a year, and a selected few are invited to attend the national remembrance parade at the cenotaph in London each year.  Our book ‘The Arborfield Apprentice’ sells well and our website www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk contains a detailed history, both written and photographic.

The Association is also a registered charity (Arborfield Association registered in England and Wales – number 1086198) the objects of which are:  To promote the efficiency of the Army by maintaining contact with former apprentices and providing social gatherings to foster esprit de corps; relieve either generally or individually members of the association who are in need, hardship or distress and; to commemorate and remember former members of the armed forces and in particular former Arborfield apprentices.

The Association is served by a committee who are all volunteers which meets three times a year.  The spring and the autumn meetings are held in the REME Museum and the Annual General Meeting in Staffordshire.  For further information visit the website where full committee contact details can be found.

The Chepstow Old Boys Association or Beachley Old Boys Association (BOBA) represents all those young men and women who passed through the gates of the Army Apprenticeship College in Chepstow establishment during the years 1924 to 1994.

For more information or to join please visit their website.

The Hadrian’s Old Boys Association represents the 2785 men that passed through the gates of The Apprentice School at Hadrian’s Camp between 1960 and 1969.

For more information or to join please visit their website.