The Parachute Regimental Association

(Nottingham Branch)


Charity Number: 1124238


NOTTINGHAM PRA Branch meetings cancelled until further notice.


Due to the current World wide Covid 19 pandemic the Nottingham Branch meeting nights which fall on the 3rd Wednesday of the month will be closed for the next few months. This is to help stop the spread of the virus to Branch members who mainly come into the vulnerable classification of being over 70 or have conditions which maybe made worse if they catch the virus.


Branch members will be kept upto date via Email and phone and branch minutes and treasurers reports will be sent via Email for members to see, and members will be updated on branch and Regimental related subjects.

If you need to contact Secretary; Brian Williams, Chairman; Kevin Key, or Treasurer; Mark Holding please contact us via phone or Email.


Many thanks for your understanding.


Mark Holding (Treasurer) 16th March 2020


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AbAbove: Left to right.

Above:

Left to Right: Wigman Road, TA Centre, Home of the branch through the 1980s to late 1990s.

Centre: Triumph Road, TA Centre, Home of the branch through the late 1990s until August 2009.


Right: The Royal British Legion, 16 Hall Croft Road, Beeston. Current location of (Nottingham Branch)


HISTORY OF THE PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

(NOTTINGHAM BRANCH)

Early 1960s

Home of the branch was originally at the Meadow Inn, a pub on Arkwright Street, Nottingham; near to the Midland Railway Station.

The Nottingham Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association was formed in 1963 by the elected Chairman Tom (Busty) Bentley MBE, DCM, MSM. Tom was ex-10 PARA and he won his DCM at Oosterbeek during the battle of Arnhem. Later he was awarded the MBE and finally the MSM for his 37 years service.

The original Branch Standard was received in 1964.

The Standard bearer at this time was Stan Hopkins a former member of 2 PARA and later 16 Independant Company Pathfinders (Lincoln).

 

Above: Tom "Buster" Bentley DCM MBE


Late 1960s

During the late 1960s Nottingham Branch moved to the Queens Hotel at the junction of Queens Road, Arkwright Street (North) and Sheriffs Way.

The President was Bill Whitlock MP. (1st Airborne Div. Arnhem)

The Chairman was Tom (Busty) Bentley MBE, DCM, MSM., ex-2 Para.

The Secretary was Jock Stewart Parachute Regiment

The Treasurer was Charles Dumbar Parachute Regiment

The Standard Bearers were Stan Hopkins ex-2 Para, Alan Bates Parachute Regiment, and Alan Horner ex-2 Para.


1980

In 1980 the Nottingham Branch moved to the Royal Navy Club on Arkwright Street, Nottingham.

The Chairman was Alan Horner ex-2 PARA

The Secretary was Bob Bossart Parachute Regiment

The Treasurer was Charles Dunbar Parachute Regiment

The Standard bearer was Alan Horner ex-2 PARA


1980-1983

At some stage between 1980-1983 the Nottingham Branch moved to Wigman Road in Bilborough, Home of 144 Parachute Field Ambulance (Volunteers).

The President was Bill Whitlock MP (1st Airborne Div. Arnhem)

The Chairman was John Needham ex-2 PARA

The Secretary was John Leek ex-2 PARA

The Treasurer was Bob Bossart Parachute Regiment

The Standard bearer was Ken Sellars ex-2 PARA and 16 Independant Company Pathfinders (Lincoln)


The Branch remained at Wigman Road through the 1980s and through to the late 1990s, moving to Triumph Road with 144 Parachute Field Ambulance. They moved here after (16 Detachment) 4 PARA were absorbed into 4 PARA, thus moving out of the Triumph Road establishment, due to cut backs to the Parachute Regiment in 1999. Since the 1990s the branch has also used the Rose pub in Radford. This was when the TA Centre was closed, either for annual camp, or annual leave.


1990s

During the 1990s comity members included:

The President was Col. Chris Kernan (Unit not known)

The Chairman was Mick Wardle followed by John Needham ex-2 Para

The Secretary's were Bryn Cullis followed by John Leek ex-2 Para

The Treasurers were Leslie Clarkstone ex-3 Para and then Maurice Hanley Parachute Regiment / SAS.

The Standard bearer was Don Bales ex-3 Para.


1999 - 2009

Triumph Road

The President was John Needham ex-2 Para.

The Chairman was Mick O'Connor ex-2 Para and SRY/RE/RLC.

The Secretary's have included John Leek, followed by Terry Duke, in 2005, and then Bill Cumming in 2006. All three of these members are ex-2 PARA.

The Treasurer's have included Leslie Clarkston ex 3 Para; Maurice Hanley Parachute Regiment / SAS followed by Patrick Riley ex-3 PARA

The Standard Bearers have included Don Bales (ex-3 Para), followed by Ken Sellars ex-2 Para and then George Worthington, ex-33 Regt RA.


2009 to present day

During 2009 the branch moved once again. This time to its current location at the Royal British Legion in Beeston.

The President is John Needham ex-2 Para.

The Chairman included Mick O'Connor ex-2 Para and SRY/RE/RLC.

John Needham, Pat Riley, Kevin Key.

The Secretaries included; Bill Cumming ex-2 Para and RAOC/RLC

Mark Holding / Mick O'Connor, Chris Harper, Brian Williams.

The Treasurer's Patrick Riley ex-3 Para and, since November 2009, Mark Holding, ex-144 PFA / 23 SAS /16 Det 4 PARA.

The Standard Bearer is George Worthington, ex-33rd Parachute Light Regiment Royal Artillery; Bill Marshall 3 Para.

The New position of "Charities and Events co-ordinator" is held by Ken Sellars ex-2 Para and 16 Independant Company (Lincoln). Ken is also the back up Standard Bearer when needed.


(Nottingham-paras) Branch - Web-Site - Mark Holding & Bill Cumming.



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