It is with huge sadness and shock that we have heard of the death of our Chairman, Maj Steve Elsey. His son, Simon, said that his father died in the early hours of Thursday morning. Understandably, this news is taking time to sink in. I will pass any messages to Steve’s family, put together a tribute album and keep you informed on funeral arrangements. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gill, Lisa, Sarah and Simon.

Funeral of Major Steve Elsey
This will take place at 2pm on Friday 31st October at Basingstoke Crematorium. A reception will follow at Army Air Corps, Officers Mess, Middle Wallop. In place of floral tributes on the day, donations towards Steve’s charities of choice, Royal British Legion, Dogs Trust or British Heart Foundation, will be gratefully accepted. Medals may be worn.

The Glider Pilot Regiment 1942 – 1957

The Regiment

The Glider Pilot Regiment was possibly the smallest and most short lived Regiments of the Bristish Army but it’s unique role ensured that it possessed a comradeship and esprit de corps second to none, and it secured itself a high place in the annuals of the Bristish Army.

The Regimental Association

From the esprit de corps so well established in the Regiment the Association was born and still exists today with excess of 1,000 members from around the world. Following the establishment of the National Association, branches sprung up to meet the needs and wishes of membership to get together more often at a local venue in addition to once a year at the National reunion.

The South-West Branch

The South-West Branch was established by Duggie Atwell in 1953 and the first Branch reunion held at the Greyhound Hotel, Broadmead, Bristol, on the 28th November of that year. Since that year there has been a branch reunion every year on the last Saturday in November.  Duggie died in 1982 when the present Secretary was appointed. the branch has hosted the national reunion on three occasions the last being 1986 in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset. In 1970 Duggie, with the help of the late Freddie Chapman, introduced a new function “Ladies Night” held at the Swan Hotel, Wells on the last Saturday in March. This event continued annually at the White Heart Hotel, Wells, until March 2007 when due to lack of support because of age and infermity, it was decided to limit branch functions to one each year.