In the short time that I have been a member of our Association I have witnessed the rapid growth in our membership and with it the success year on year of our Annual Reunion Weekend's. For me the Reunion in 2003 was perhaps one of the saddest and happiest I have attended. Sad because after serving a little over six years as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer Roy and Pat Andrews took the decision to retire from their respective posts in 2003.

Working closely with Roy and Pat these past three years has been a real pleasure and I shall miss our regular banter on the phone discussing Association Business. Just before our reunion in 2002 Roy learned that he was suffering from a form of the big 'C' which prompted his decision to retire. I was delighted to hear him announce at our AGM that he is 'living proof' the the big 'C' can be beaten.

I am sure I don't have to tell you that Roy is a remarkable character, in some respects an 'Institution'. In addition to his roll as Secretary of 260 Signal Squadron (SAM) RSA he is also the Chairman and the Secretary of the Malta - Libya Branch and was a Committee member of the East Kent Branch RSA for ten years during which time he held several posts including that of Chairman. Roy recently retired from being an active member of the Central Committee of The Royal Signals Association where he held the post of Area Representative.

In recent years Roy joined the Herforder Association in the hope that he might make contact with his old friends in 1st Corps Signal Regiment. The Regiment was based at Maresfield Barracks Herford Germany in the 1950's before the unit was retitled in 1959 and became known as 7 Signal Regiment.

Although Roy and Pat have relinquished their Office with 260 Signal Squadron Association they will however continue on as active members of our Association but from now on they plan to sit down put their feet up and take time to enjoy the fruits of their labours.

In recognition for their outstanding service to our Association we are pleased to present Roy and Pat with a statue of 'Jimmy'

Archie Cairns
Webmaster