Gallery

Remembrance Day 2008

At this years parade We arrived at the British Embassy with 67 members, we were of course honoured to be introduced to H.R.H. Princess Alexandra. After the service we once again retired to the Ambassadors Garden for some Liquid Fuel. On our way home we invaded the Black Swan Pub in Bangkok to be greeted by mine host David and a wonderful and free cold buffet, after that it was back to Tropical Bert's for a good old sing-along led once again by Bob Myers.

                 Some of our group at the Embassy                                                 Last pint before we meet H.R.H.

    H.R.H. Princess Alexandra inspects the Gurkah's Guard            Our Chairman Middy Campbell Meeting and Greeting

                             Members during the service                                A fine picture of our Standard Bearer and Wife

                         

 

                                   

 

                                   

 

                              

We met Jim and his friends this year as normal at the Remembrance Day Service in the British Embassy at Bangkok and also as normal Jim was the Life and Soul of the Party in Jooles bar after.  So it was more than a shock when we were told of his sudden death the following Wednesday. Jim served 22 years in The Parachute Regiment serving with 1 and 2 Para and being attached to both 15 Scottish T.A. Bn and the Parachute Training School. On leaving the Army he decided his second career would be in the Derbyshire Constabulary as a Police Officer, this was a cut short when he fell through a roof chasing a burglar. Jim after all those years as a Para had forgot his Parachute Landing Procedure and was invalided out of the Police. After a short spell as a Lorry driver Jim left the U.K. for warmer climates and set up a bar in Goa.Whilst there he traveled to Thailand to team up with his old friend from the Para's Bob Myers. This short holiday in Thailand ( where I also first met Jim ) was enough for him to make up his mind to move once again, this time to Pattaya. Jim soon fell in love with Thailand and a girl called Sunee and after a short spell in Royet decided to set up house in Korat, a lot of new friends were made  there many of them ex Forces but he always kept in touch with his pals in Pattaya often traveling down for the weekend. The amount of people at Jim's funeral reflects the kind of person he was; Well Liked, Funny and a person who would never see others in need. Many people spoke of Jim at the service all of them saying good things, his old friend Bob Myers said of him " he was a professional in all respects, a professional Soldier, a professional Policeman and a Professional Landlord " perhaps we should add Professional Friend and Funny Man to that as well, he was certainly both of them. Jim's legacy will without doubt be the setting up of a branch of the Royal British Legion in Korat, the wheels are in motion as I write this. To the many friends he had in Korat thank you to you all for the way you looked after his wife and indeed to ourselves when we arrived from Pattaya. A special thank you must go to Dave Kearns for the professional manner he conducted the service and saw a very good friend of us all off, Jim for sure would not have been happy had we not been drinking and telling stories. I like to think a bond has been formed thanks to Jim between Pattaya and Korat and I for one look forward to my next visit.