2022 Events

Branch members attended a County Social Gathering on Saturday 9 April at Easington RBL Club. A very interesting and informative meeting.

Ellen and David ran a cake stall at Washington Arts Centre on 23 April, during the Easter period, raising £87 towards Branch funds.

Members of the branch visited Hebburn branch club on Tuesday 10 May; many old acquaintances were renewed, and a good night was had by all.

A memorial service for LMEM(M) S. J. White, the only Washington fatality of the Falklands conflict, who was killed whilst serving on H.M.S. Ardent on 21 May 1982, was held at Washington Village Cenotaph at 11.00hrs on 21 May 2002. There was a fantastic turnout with members of S. J. White's family, the Royal Navy Association (Tyne), T.S. Kelly (Hebburn) Sea Cadets and cadets from 2214 (Usworth Sqdn.) Air Cadets and the D.L.I. Association along with members of the public. A special thank you goes  to two of S.J. Whites messmates from H.M.S. Ardent who travelled a considerable distance to attend. Also in attendance were members of Washington branch RBL, Sunderland Transport Museum and the Worm Riders who paid their usual revving engine tribute. Please forgive any attendee omissions. The service was taken by Chaplain Monsignor R. Brown, Royal Navy (Retired). Special thanks go to Stu Temple for arranging this fitting tribute to a gallant sailor.

Members of the branch along with the Branch Standard attended a memorial service on 12 June at St. Alban's Church, Windy Nook, Gateshead for Master at Arms Brian Walsh who was killed whilst serving aboard H.M.S. Sheffield when she was attacked on 4 May 1982 during the Falklands conflict; Sheffield later sank on 10 May.

The Branch AGM was held on the evening of 12 October 2022 at North Biddick Social Club; this meeting was fairly well attended by recent standards. Washington Branch now has a fully compliant Committee to take the Branch forward and is also fully compliant in respect of Branch accounts for 2021/22 which have been submitted and approved. Your Branch Officers are Chairman - Steve Lee; Vice Chairman - Vacant; Secretary - David Nichols and Treasurer - Steve Brunsden. 

On 22 October 2022  Branch members along with cadets and staff from T.S. Donald Owen Clarke and church congregation attended the dedication of a Field of Remembrance at Holy Trinity Church, Usworth. This is likely to become a regular annual event.

The Branch Standard was paraded, by the Branch Standard Bearer and Secretary David Nichols, with those of many other branches at a Dedication of the Field of Remembrance at Saltwell Park in Gateshead on the morning of Saturday 5 November. The Standard was paraded on Friday 11th November to mark Remembrance Day at the Galleries in Washington. Many thanks to all who attended and observed the silence. Members of the branch and the branch Standard were present at the annual service and act of remembrance on Sunday 13 at Holy Trinity Church and at the War Memorial in Washington Village. The event was very well supported by members of H.M. Forces, the Cadet Forces and the Civilian Services along with RBL members and members of the public. The Deputy Lord Lieutenant took the salute.

Ellen, along with a host of helpers, ran a cake and Christmas Decoration stall at the Washington Village Christmas Fair on Saturday 3th December where £597 was raised towards Branch funds. Agnes ran a cake and Christmas decoration stall at a coffee morning held at Holy Trinity Church, Usworth raising £40 towards the total. A huge thank you to all who took part.

The annual Christmas Dinner was held on the evening of Saturday 10 December at The Forge in Washington Village The event was very well attended, and everyone had a wonderful evening with drinks in the Washington Arms afterwards. Thanks to Sue and Ellen for arranging the event and for organising the hamper raffle.

2023 Events

On 16 February members of the Branch, along with members from many other Branches, The Parachute Regiment Society and the Gunners Society, attended the funeral of 92 year old James Caldwell of the Parachute Regiment, James had served in Palestine with the Regiment.

Old ties with Hebburn Branch were reformed and a visit to Hebburn Legion Club is to be organised in the near future.

Ellen (Branch Fundraiser) organised a booze hamper raffle at the Courtyard Bar, Washington Arts Centre in April which raised 121.05 for Branch funds - Well done Ellen. A further raffle is currently being organised, any booze contributions to Ellen please.

Other News

The branch has formed official Youth Affiliations with 2214 (Usworth) Sqdn. Air Cadets . Officer Commanding Plt.Off. Karl Siberry and T.S. Donald Owen Clarke, Chester le Street Sea Cadets, Officer Commanding Sub Lt. Carl Griffiths, Carl has joined the Branch as a member. It is intended that Branch members attend T.S. Donald Owen Clarke's annual Royal Navy inspection where the certificate of affiliation will be presented to the unit. We're very pleased to welcome both Plt. Off. Siberry and Sub. Lt. Carl Griffiths and their respective cadets to the Branch.

Youth Affiliation has been requested with Durham Army Cadets based at the T.A. Centre at Sulgrave, further information will be given as matters progress. 

The Branch is pleased to announce that most of the goals for the first year stipulated in the Three-Year plan adopted at the 2021 AGM have been achieved. It is hoped that members will support future events planned for year two which will, hopefully, include a monthly breakfast club, social evenings and visits to local attractions and events. Efforts are being made to secure funds for a trip to the National Arboretum, the first event in support of this aim was an Easter Cake Stall held on Saturday 16 April at the Washington Arts Centre, many thanks to Ellen, Agnes and David for their efforts, over £80 was raised on the day.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival of our new Chaplain, the Rev. Julie Wing. Julie, who is the Rector at Holy Trinity Usworth and St. Michaels Sulgrave, she has proved to be a great asset to the branch since her arrival.

The Branch has appointed Steve Brunsden as our Branch Community Support (BCS) Representative; he has now undergone his training and DBS clearance and is ready to take on cases as they are passed on. We are currently looking for volunteers to take on the roles of Ceremonial, Social and Recruitment representatives. Any members interested  should, in the first instance, contact the Branch Chairman as soon as possible.

On Thursday 19 October 2023 members of the committee attended 2214 (Usworth) Squadron, Air Training Corps to present that unit with it's Certificate of Youth Affiliation with the branch. Present were Steve Lee (Chair), Stu Temple (Parade Marshal) and Steve Brunsden (Treasurer/BCS Rep.). 2214 Squadron is to attend the Holy Trinity (Usworth) Field of Remembrance dedication, Armistice Day and Poppy Collection (Washington Galleries) and Remembrance Sunday parade (Washington Village).

Plt. Off Karl Siberry and Steve Lee (Chair)

Request for Information

The following request has been emailed from Washington History Society. If anyone can assist, please email the Society direct.

Link to Branch Events