Remembrance and Ronnie Wison
Bill Park with Ronnie |
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That is what happened when I first mentioned to Ronnie that I had served in the Royal Artillery, he replied that he had in his possession a Royal Artillery flag which turned out to be the Standard belonging to the Port Glasgow Branch of the Royal Artillery Association which had closed many years earlier. The Standard at one time was carried through the town by the members of the Gunner Club on Remembrance Sunday after which they would go to the Rangers Supporters Club for a meal and refreshment of which Ronnie was Secretary, when the gunners were no longer able to carry out this service, the members dispersed and the Standard was left in the supporters club'. Instead of lying and gathering dust, Ronnie decided that the Standard would still take part in the service and organised the local Cadet Force to be the bearers, he also lays a gunner wreath at the War Memorial every Remembrance Sunday. |
Every so often you meet someone and during the course of conversation a casual remark can lead to a remarkable story.
Bill Park with Ronnie |
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He is also involved with a second Memorial Service on Remembrance Day, this is to commemorate the sacrifice made by the young lads from Port Glasgow who fought in WW1,(see The Toll Boys ) and who never returned. Last year, the British Legion Standard was handed over to Ronnie for safe keeping and like the R.A. Standard takes it's rightful place at the service on Remembrance Sunday, he also lays a wreath on behalf of the Royal British Legion which I am sure they appreciate. The Royal Artillery Association have invited Ronnie to a meeting in Glasgow where senior members of the RAA will be given the opportunity to thank Ronnie personally for all the work he has done and his dedication, and reminding us of our duty towards those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. A very remarkable man. Bill Park.
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The remarkable thing is that Ronnie is not a Gunner and that no-one connected with the Royal Artillery had any idea that he was making this contribution. He simply felt that the memory of the Gunners who had laid down their lives, along with all the other members of our armed forces, should never be forgotten.
On Wednesday 16th March, Ronnie was invited to attend a meeting of the Glasgow Branch of the Royal Artillery Association where he was presented with a silver Quaich and a bottle of the appropriate refreshment.