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Reunions
2012

Report And Photographs from Richard Abraham

(Click on any photo to see enlarged version.)

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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_071 >>> Civil Service Club.
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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_072 >>> At The Luncheon 1.
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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_073 >>> At The Luncheon 2.
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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_074 >>> Geoff Graves & Mike Owsley.
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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_075 >>> John Sabini, Fred Philpott, Adrian Kirkpatrick-Smith & Richard Abraham.
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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_076 >>> Adrian Kirkpatrick-Smith, Fred Philpot, Richard Abraham & John Sabini.
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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_077 >>> Philip Gordon, Geoff Graves & Glyn Lovejoy.
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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_078 >>> Les Clarke.
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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_079 >>> Bob Smith.
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<<< Quote Ref: re12p_080 >>> Adrian Kirkpatrick-Smith & Fred Philpott.
St Fagg's Day Luncheon 2012
Civil Service Club, Whitehall.
The fourth St. Fagg's Day Annual Luncheon took place at our usual venue – courtesy of John Sabini – the Civil Service Club, off Whitehall in London. The 'lucky' number thirteen (comprising AAJLR, ICCY and guests) fought their way through torrential rain, flood and tempest from various directions to meet in the bar at 1200 hours and partake delicately of aperitifs. Actually all assembled were quaffing pints of real ale (five choices of same which is very good for a private members' club) as though their alcohol free diets started the next day! Twenty quid in the kitty and there was no stopping us. After a respectable hour plus imbibing we gathered our ancient energies and climbed many stairs to the second floor Trafalgar Room.
With our long table taking up most of this very light and airy room (a decent view of the rain lashed streets could be had from here) we enjoyed a fine three courses plus coffee, served by a team of pleasant staff, and……..oh yes, copious quantities of wine plus a vast flagon of IPA completed (almost) the luncheon. One of the AAJLR members – not satisfied with 42 years army service – is very much a working boy and had to go back even before the two carafes of Portugal's finest started to be passed to the left. Mr Sabini gave a pre-amble to the pre-amble, Richard Abraham delivered the pre-amble giving the story of who (or should that be what?) was Lance Corporal Hermes Fagg, Royal Green Jackets and how this event has evolved from a St George's Day Luncheon in 2009. Fred Philpott proposed the loyal toast and made special mention of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, followed by Adrian Kirkpatrick-Smith raising a toast to the All Arms Junior Leaders. Photographs were taken then and later and some accompany this brief account.
With more of a spring in our steps – the wine, beer and port doubtless being responsible – we nipped down the several flights rather faster than we had ascended – I don't believe anyone fell; Fred Philpott handled that aspect tripping down the step on his earlier arrival in the bar! There was then more swinging of lamps, more sand spread upon the floor, bullets ducked and explosions avoided as we told 'war' and other stories over more pints of good English ale. Suddenly six or seven hours had flown by and we gradually left the club. That said, I do believe three members of the ICCY were still propping it up when I left sometime after seven o'clock!
This is a great fun annual event which I would commend to anyone who wishes to attend. It is also exceptional value at a twenty quid 'investment' for the liquid refreshment and about £18 for the rest.
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