Bushguarders 60th anniversary

The idea to FORM the Bushguarders society occurred to six colonels who had served with the Home Guard during the Second World War. One of them was my father. It was limited to 100 members who had served in that force, most of whom were veterans of the 1914-18 war. In fact, one had fought in the Boer War that ended in 1902!However, it became clear that the society would fold unless other members of the club were invited to join, so it was decided that those who had served in the armed forces during the war should swell the numbers. Together with the Home Guard veterans, those who served in all branches of the services during the 1939-45 conflict, have seen service in just about every theatre of war.At the beginning, the society was given a life expectancy of just ten years - yet, here we are in 2005, celebrating our 60th anniversary. Sadly, not with 100 members these days, but around 20. Nevertheless, as ex-servicemen, this shared experience and good fortune of our survival, has created a tremendous sense of affinity and comradeship between us. The Bushguarders has been, and remains a great society.

Brian Sleath

The photo below was taken Autumn 1983

and this photo was taken September 2009