Independence of India 1947 Club Reunion Lunch 13 Aug 05

MV GEORGIC REUNION SAT 13 AUG 05
(In August 1947, after nearly 300 years of British rule, negotiations for the Independence of India were completed for Britain to hand over control of India to the newly formed Indian Government. For 2 years, during 1945-1947, 2 R Norfolk were employed all over India curtailing many dangerous riots and religious uprisings leading up to the Independence of India.)
Following the Independence of India on 15 Aug 1947, the 2nd Bn The Royal Norfolk Regt were the first British Infantry Bn to leave India. They left aboard the MV Georgic bound for the UK and eventual disbandment of the Bn in Mar 48.
An article on the departure appeared in B&C 88 Jun 97.
To commemorate the occasion, The ‘Independence of India 1947 Club’ met on Sat 13 Aug 05 at The Union Jack Club in London. The Norfolk Editor was most honoured to be invited as a guest.
His connections to this august body (no pun intended) were scant - a small boy, aged but 4 when 2 R Norfolk embarked from Bombay in Aug 1947.
B&C 101 Dec 03 reported on the presentation by the Norfolk Editor of a 4’ long model of the original twin-funnelled MV Georgic to the club. After considerable efforts by Ron Stokoe (see B&C 103 Dec 04) the model was restored by maestro Gordon Wiseman (tragically killed in an accident in Jun 2006) to the single-funnel vessel in which they left Bombay in 1947.
Attending were: Cyril Beardshaw, Leslie Blunden, Stan Boggiss, Jim Cameron (decd Aug 06), Bill Dack (decd Oct 06) Lou Dale, Chris Frost, Ron Henry, Keith Lovell (Decd Apr 08), John Pacey, Ian Page, Ron Pelster, Ron Phelps, Leslie Preston, Stan Rasberry, John Raybould, Arthur Richardson, Bob Self, Gordon Spong, Peter Stevens, Ron Stokoe and Jack Stokoe.
The MV Georgic model was taken to Norwich in Sep 05 for display at the Regimental Association Reunion Dinner and then presented to our Norwich Regimental Museum.
For more, see Georgic Index.
[B&C 105 Dec 05]

Editorial Rule
To qualify for inclusion in the B&C there is only one rule - something described must have been said to have happened.
The authority is the Editor, British Army Review No 114 Dec 96, `If the facts don`t fit the legend, print the legend’.

However, the rules of good taste, respect and confidentiality are always applied.