" It was the removal of beach obstacles, the building of
    ammo, food and supply dumps and construction that the
    majority of the 6,000 Pioneers, who landed on D-Day, were
    engaged. Much of the work was carried out under artillery

    and small-arms fire with the
    ever present risk of touching
    off a land-mine… "

    Major E H Rhodes-Wood

 Newsletter - April 2010

This morning I finished the distribution of the latest copy of the
Association Newsletter, you should receive your copy early next week,
unless you have already received it. I hope you all enjoy it. With the Newsletter there is a return for the Reunion Weekend - 2nd-4th Jul 2010
at Bicester. If you are attending and early indications show a large
number will be attending, please return by 15th June 2010.

As is normal I am enclosing tickets for the Derby Draw please give
this your fullest support as the money raised help the Association to
carry out its work.

Please keep your letters coming in and I hope you enjoy reading the many great stories inside this issue !

• News section with details of past and future events
• Final part of George Pringles story (unless he sends in more!)
• From Italy to Normandy
• Tunnels full of Cheese Sandwiches by Lt Edward Hayball
• Norman Carling and the Battle for Caen
• Colonel Donald Dean - the VC Hero
• Blast from the Past
• Photo gallery
• Your letters
• Book reviews
• Last post / Obituaries / Lost Trails and much more !

May 9th 2010

 Joining the Royal Pioneer Corps Association


It is now nearly twenty years since our Corps converged with the other Forming Corps' to form the Royal Logistic Corps, it is pleasing therefore to report that the Association is standing the test of time and still going strong. So far this year we have recruited over eighty new members, some who served during World War 2, many from the National Service days of the Fifties and a great number from the Sixties and Seventies who for one reason or another failed to join when they were serving.

Over 21,000 have joined the RPCA since its formation. When you make contact with ex Corps members or ex RLC Pioneers ask if they receive the newsletters - tell them it is FREE! If they do not please send me their address. If you would like to join the RPCA, drop me an email and I will send you details on how to join. Our reunions are open to all Pioneers and we look forward to seeing you all.

May 9th 2010

Patrons
HRH The Duke of Gloucester  KG GCVO
Vice Patrons
General Sir John Stibbon  KCB OBE
Major General G W Field  CB OBE
President
Bridadier H J Hickman  CBE
Chairman of Council
Colonel A Barnes TD JP
Controller
Mr N Brown Esq

Although the Royal Pioneer Corps disbanded in 1993 when it was amalgamated with 4 other Corps to form the Royal Logistic Corps, the Royal Pioneer Association still runs and does valuable work with the financial help of the Army Benevolent Fund. It's main work is the relief of "need, hardship and distress" of ex-Pioneers, their wives, widows and dependants.

The Corps has quietly got on with business in hand, sometimes with recognition, often with none at all. A price was paid and you will find the graves of Pioneers in most War Cemetaries overseas - they paid heavily. Our overseas Pioneers must never be forgotten; they too gave their lives and served loyally. The Association will provide the focal point for the Royal Pioneer Corps affairs both socially and supportively. It will need your involvement and encouragement.

The Association publishes two newsletters a year. These newsletters are published on this website. Under the umbrella of the Association there are also a number of organisations - details of their activities are also to be included. In the main these are:

•  39/93 Club Dinners
•  Warrant Officers and Senior NCO's Pioneer Reunion Club
•  Northampton Branch of the Royal Pioneer Corps Association
•  215 Company Reunion Lunch