" It was the removal of beach obstacles, the building of
    ammo, food and supply dumps and construction that the
    majority of the 6,000 Pioneers, who landed on D-Day, were
    engaged. Much of the work was carried out under artillery

    and small-arms fire with the ever present risk of touching
    off a land-mine… "

    Major E H Rhodes-Wood

Association members should be finding the latest issue of The Pioneer dropping through their letterboxes... With this Newsletter you will, as usual, receive tickets for the Christmas Draw (unless you have already indicated that you are unable to sell them). It would be appreciated if you would give this your fullest support.

We know that there are many causes requiring your hard earned money (especially in these difficult times!) but our two Draws per year help to keep the Association going. Please keep your letters coming in and I hope you enjoy reading the many great stories inside this issue !

• Pioneer Weekend
• Latest News
• Past Events
• Future Events
• Pat Morley demonstates to Dusty
• Burns Night Reunion
• PTSD
• Sgt Butlers War
• Postcard from France
• A Conscripts Tale
• Digging through the Archives
• AGM Minutes
• Pioneers on Juno Beach
• Press Cuttings from 1946
• Letters to the Editor
• Blast from the Past
• Photo Gallery
• Your letters
• Book reviews
• Last post / Obituaries
• Lost Trails

and much more !



 Newsletter - October 2015

 Events Calendar

Events are now published on the Facebook Group Events Page,
which can be accessed by clicking the above link.

 Joining the Royal Pioneer Corps Association

It is now over twenty years since our Corps converged with the other Forming Corps' to form the Royal Logistic Corps, it is pleasing therefore to report that the Association is standing the test of time and still going strong. So far this year we have recruited hundreds of new members, some who served during World War 2, many from the National Service days of the Fifties and a great number from the Sixties and Seventies who for one reason or another failed to join when they were serving.

Over 21,000 have joined the RPCA since its formation. When you make contact with ex Corps members or ex RLC Pioneers ask if they receive the newsletters - tell them it is FREE! If they do not please send me their address. If you would like to join the RPCA, drop me an email and I will send you details on how to join. Our reunions are open to all Pioneers and we look forward to seeing you all.

Patrons
HRH The Duke of Gloucester  KG GCVO

Vice Patrons
Major General G W Field  CB OBE

President
Brigadier CB Telfer CBE

Chairman of Council
Colonel A Barnes TD JP

Controller
Mr N Brown Esq

Although the Royal Pioneer Corps disbanded in 1993 when it was amalgamated with 4 other Corps to form the Royal Logistic Corps, the Royal Pioneer Association still runs and does valuable work with the financial help of the Army Benevolent Fund. It's main work is the relief of "need, hardship and distress" of ex-Pioneers, their wives, widows and dependants.

The Corps has quietly got on with business in hand, sometimes with recognition, often with none at all. A price was paid and you will find the graves of Pioneers in most War Cemetaries overseas - they paid heavily. Our overseas Pioneers must never be forgotten; they too gave their lives and served loyally. The Association will provide the focal point for the Royal Pioneer Corps affairs both socially and supportively. It will need your involvement and encouragement.

The Association publishes two newsletters a year. These newsletters are published on this website. Under the umbrella of the Association there are also a number of organisations - details of their activities are also to be included. In the main these are:

•  39/93 Club Dinners
•  Warrant Officers and Senior NCO's Pioneer Reunion Club
•  Northampton Branch of the Royal Pioneer Corps Association