Author: John Sibley – President
We have just held Winch to the Wall 2026 and yet again it was a roaring success.
On the 5th September the branch hosted 29 members, including families of our lost comrades at MOD Lyneham. The day started with all attending arriving in the REME Museum car park and swiftly advancing on Crowns Café for a brew and sustenance (in some cases!!). Suitably refreshed, we had our safety brief from Wayne, our museum guide and security passes were handed out. After that, group 1, along with chaperone, branch Chairman, Bryan Cronie boarded the minibuses to be taken to “A site” home of the Roger Jones MBE hanger which houses the historic vehicle collection. Group 2 were lumbered with me and we waited at the museum for the returning minibuses to take us to the Recovery Training Wing (RTW) and the memorial wall.
After spending some reflective time at the memorial wall, our guests moved to the RTW where Sgt James Bates (branch committee member, minibus driver and RTW guide) gave a absorbing tour through the RTW. Our guests were told a little of the history of the trade, browsed the course photographs and our gallantry medals winner’s gallery before viewing the portraits of the fallen, paintings of our three comrades who were killed in action. As if this wasn’t enough, they then got to see the vehicles that our boys and girls are using today, with Sgt Bates on hand to answer any questions that they had. Sadly, the time to move on very quickly arrived, so it was back on the buses and a drive around the recovery training area with commentary from both Sgt Bates and Stuart Martin (another committee member). They took group 1 to “A site” and the groups swopped over. Ding-Ding, round 2.
After the second iteration both groups were taken back to the REME museum where they could spend their hard-earned pocket money on stuff from the shop. Obviously more brews were taken and more sustenance by some! Several of our guests then took the opportunity to visit the museums main halls and some, who had travelled great distances started their long haul homeward.
From my perspective, this is what our branch is all about. From the 29 attendees, 21 were families of our fallen. Of course, these tours are open to any member and their families, but it gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction to host these family members and see their range of emotions when they first see their loved one’s plaques. It also makes me extremely proud of our trade and those who worked so hard to make it what it is today, a unique memorial and evolving tribute to all those who have gone before.
These events cannot and do not take place by chance, a huge amount of work goes into making it a day to remember for all attendees. Massive thanks go to the team of volunteers who give up their own time (and money) to be there to make the day run smoothly. Bryan Cronie, Stuart Martin and James Bates from the committee and Ian Macdonald, our resident photographer, thanks team it wouldn’t happen without you all. And to all our guests, thank you for your continuing support.
Finally, Winch to the Wall 27 is already in the planning stage, save the date Saturday 4th September 2027, they’ll be a few changes next year but more about that in the new year.