Hadrians Old Boys Association

Dear Fellow HOB,

As you may be aware we are working with the Arborfield, Chepstow and Harrogate Old Boys Associations to establish a permanent memorial to all Army Apprentices at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. We have now finalised the design, obtained approval from the National Memorial Arboretum Trustees, and appointed a stonemason to construct the memorial. All we have to do now is pay for it!

The detailed design and full information can be seen here on the memorial’s own website - have a good look! We have to raise £35,000 between the 4 main colleges (Arborfield, Carlisle, Chepstow and Harrogate) to ensure that we can build the monument and pay for the continuing maintenance. Based upon an equal share you can see that we HOBs have to raise £8,750 over the next 12 months or so. One of the best ways of taking part in raising this money is to buy a commemorative brick with your name, intake number and dates, which will be incorporated into the outer ring of the memorial. For only £75 you can be immortalised! If you can also Gift Aid any contributions we can claim money back from the taxman.

Once the memorial has been completed we intend to hold a dedication ceremony and more details will be given nearer the time, although the Rev Garry Kelly (ex-Hadrian’s) will be one of the officiating clergy together with Rev Bev John (ex-Arborfield).

If you know the National Memorial Arboretum or are planning to visit this summer, our memorial site is located about 50 metres behind the REME memorial and will be between the Parachute Regiment and the Shot At Dawn memorials. You can find out more about the National Memorial Arboretum at www.thenma.org.uk – have a look, it’s well worth it!

If you have any questions about this appeal do please contact me either via the HOBs website or direct at david.t.cooper@btinternet.com 

Best regards

Ted Cooper

61C B Coy