THE BRANCH

Our Branch was formed in 1948 in order to continue the comradeship formed during the War Years.

Its original title was “The Dover Sub Branch”, but we were re-titled as the East Kent Branch in 1969.  Following the closure of the West Kent Branch (approx. 2015/16) and the closure of the Medway Branch (early 2023), we were left as the only remaining Branch in Kent.  On 18 October 2023, the Regimental Council agreed to our Branch being re-titled as the Kent Branch.

Between 1948 and 1977 the Branch was financed by the Regiment, but since 1977 the Branch has been financially independent and holds charitable status.  The Grenadier Guards Association is registered under the Charities Act, 2022 – No. 287265.

The Branch was the inspiration of Mr Arthur J Pullen who was a member of the “Old Kent Branch” which met in Maidstone.  He was our first Branch Secretary and Treasurer – a post he held for 25 years.  He was superseded as Secretary by Bill Brown who held the post for a further 25 years.  Harry West then held the post for 11 years.  Robert (Bob) Goodson assumed the role on 19 March 2009, and is our current Hon. Secretary.

Our first Chairman was Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Salwey Hanning OBE (commissioned number 391), who was awarded the OBE on 24th January 1946.  Our current President and Chairman is Major Dennis Bradley BEM DL who was elected Branch President in May 2003 (assuming the role from Ernie Couchman) and was elected Branch Chairman (assuming the role from Ray Colley) on 15 March 2009.

Through regular meetings, social events, newsletters, other interactions and welfare support, the Kent Branch continues to keep alive the comradeship formed in military service.  Through the Association, we can provide welfare for our old and needy ex-servicemen and widows.

We are governed by the Regimental Association and follow their Association Rules and By-Laws for Branches.

We extend a warm welcome to all former Grenadiers who have passed through training at Caterham, Pirbright, Windsor, Catterick or other Guards Training establishments and who live or work in Kent.

We also welcome membership applications from all former Troopers and Guardsmen of other Regiments of the Household Division.


Please send the Membership Secretary your contact details and detail of your Regimental history

Membership of our Branch is primarily formed from veteran soldiers who served in the Grenadier Guards.

Grenadier members:

  • Officers (who have formerly served in the Regiment)
  • Discharged Soldiers (provided they have completed their recruit training in the Regiment and have been awarded a character assessment of not less than “SATISFACTORY“)

Serving Members:

  • All Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Guardsmen who have completed Recruit training, who are still serving and who have links to locations within our catchment area are classed as Serving Members of the Kent Branch.
  • The Regiment generally notify Branches of who such persons are; although there are occasions where we are already aware of a members service status.

Associate Members:

  • Historically, our membership has been augmented with a few former servicemen from the Life Guards, the Blues and Royals (Household Cavalry Regiment), Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards (The Household Division).  Members of Associations of the Household Division may be elected as Associate Members of the Branch.
  • At the discretion of the Branch Committee, non-Household Division serving and veteran personnel may be granted membership of the Kent Branch.

Honorary Members:

  • Honorary membership is granted to ladies and gentlemen who have not served in the Grenadier Guards, but who have given outstanding service to the Regiment.
  • Branches may appoint Honorary Members at the discretion of their committee.

Social Members:

  • Social membership may be granted to ladies and gentlemen who have not served in the Grenadier Guards, but who enjoy the company of members of our Branch and who support our functions.
  • The Branch Committee appoint Social Membership.
  • Social Members pay the annual Branch membership.

Branch Widows:

  • Ladies who were once married to, or a partner of, a member of the Association, or the Branch, and who generally reside within our catchment area.
  • The Branch maintains contact with these ladies, who are welcome to attend any of the functions that the Branch or Association organise.

The Branch Committee is tasked with the administration of the Branch and organising many of the activities and functions that our members attend.  Currently, the Committee consists of just two of our Branch members.

The names of other members who hold appointments within the Branch are shown below:

  • Deputy Chairman/Assistant Secretary/Branch Welfare: Posts currently vacant
  • Assistant Treasurer/Assistant Events Secretary/Membership Secretary: David Grassham
  • Branch Banner Carrier: Robert (Rob/Bob) Barron
  • Branch Grenadier Telephone Friends: Joe Moran and Robert C (Bob) Goodson
  • Branch Meeting Raffle: Ian Bell
  • After Meeting Luncheon Organiser: Joe Moran
  • Transportation Organiser: John (Stitch) Taylor

Other Vice Presidents:

  • Colonel Piers (PL) Ashfield DSO MBE – serving Officer
  • Major Ben Mason (CAMUS) – serving Officer
  • Captain Tom  Hodson – serving Officer
  • Captain Felix (F S N) Tracey – serving Officer
  • Algy Cluff, OBE DL
  • Pat Franks

The Branch encourages members to volunteer and join the committee.  If you can assist, then please contact the Branch President or Hon. Secretary.

Of all the Branches of the Grenadier Guards Association, the Kent Branch is the ONLY Branch to have its own march dedicated to it.

The march, Invicta Grenadiers, was composed by Major Ben Mason when he was a Lance Sergeant with the Band of the Grenadier Guards and when our Branch was titled the East Kent Branch.

His links with the Branch are formed from the many Branch functions he attended over many years, along with other musicians in the Regimental Dance Band.

Major Mason is a former Director of Music of the Band of the Grenadier Guards and is currently (October 2023) Operations Officer to Regional Bands Headquarters. Whilst his cap badge is now the Corps of Army Music (CAMUS), he is a Grenadier through and through.

He is a serving soldier and a Vice President and Honorary member of the Kent Branch.

With regrets, but fond memories, we record the death of the following past Branch members, or Grenadiers from our area, that the Branch knows of:

  • ADAMS, R (22545497), Gren Gds – Died 2001
  • ADKINS, D (2623473), Gren Gds – Died 1988
  • AINSCOUGH, James (Jim) (22545045), Gren Gds – Died 19 Apr 2014, aged 80
  • ATTWATER, FR (2623297), Gren Gds – Died 2002
  • BALDERSTONE, Harold John (22488422), Gren Gds – Died 25 Jul 2010, aged 77
  • BENNETT, H (2619550), Gren Gds – Died 1994
  • BILLINGHAM, Cyril (2626730), Gren Gds – Died 30 May 2007
  • BOLTON, G (22545305), Gren Gds – Died 1989
  • BRIGLAND, Donald J (Don) (2627209), Gren Gds – Died 18 May 2013, aged 86
  • BROWN, J (2628048), Gren Gds – Died 10 Oct 2001
  • BROWN, T (2614589), Gren Gds – Died 1981
  • BROWN, William J T (Bill) – Former Branch Secretary – (2623132), Gren Gds – Died 29 Jul 2013, aged 89
  • BURTON, J (John) (2624185), Gren Gds – Died 02 Jan 2005
  • CARPENTER, Edward (Ted) – Former Branch Librarian – (22955298), Gren Gds – Died 17 Oct 2020, aged 84
  • CHARLES MM, William Ivor Russell (2613946), Gren Gds – Died 21 Aug 2009, aged 94
  • CLARK, WE (6354856), Gren Gds – Died 1991
  • COE, Norman C – Former Treasurer – (2613619 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 06 Sep 1998, aged 82
  • COISIER, A (24405343), Gren Gds – Died Mid 2003
  • COLE, Brian Charles (23252915), Brian Charles (23252915), Gren Gds – Died May 2023, aged 83
  • COLLEY, Raymond (Ray) – Former Branch Chairman – (2625063), Gren Gds – Died 21 Aug 2014, aged 90
  • COMPTON, I (2624169 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 1993
  • COOPER, BA (2616142), Gren Gds – Died 1986
  • COOPER, Jerry (not known), RHG – Died 25 Feb 2000
  • COUCHMAN, Ernie – Former Branch President – (2616390), Gren Gds – Died 30 Oct 2005
  • CROFT, Sidney (not known), Gren Gds – Died 06 Jul 2000
  • CURTIS, Reginald (Reg) (2615427), Gren Gds – Died between 2014 and early 2017, age not known
  • DALTON, C (2615684 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 10 Jul 1996
  • DANCE, George Richard (22955426), Gren Gds – Died 19 Jun 2014, age not known
  • DORNEY, MBE, MStJ, MSc, Richard Michael (“Skid”) (Lt Col (Retd.) (554998), Gren Gds – Died 18 Nov 2022, age 62 – Vice President
  • DURUP, Michael Stanley Ritter (Mike) (23862398) – Royal Army Medical Corps – Died 26 October 2022, aged 86
  • ELLENDER, FS (Fred) (2621735), Gren Gds – Died 24 May 2000, aged 87
  • ELMS, Ivan (not known), Gren Gds – Died 17 Apr 2000
  • FAGG, RA (2616398), Gren Gds – Died Jul 2005
  • FISHER, DK (23879905), Gren Gds – Died Oct 2000
  • GAMBLE, G (2615883 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 27 Jul 1998
  • GILES, EB (22213578 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 04 Dec 2001
  • GODDEN, Reginald John George (22451372), Gren Gds – Died 19 Apr 2010, aged 77
  • GOLDSTEIN, Ronald Harris (Ron) (22157771), Gren Gds – Died 14 Mar 2017 aged 86
  • HARDING, CH (2611597), Gren Gds – Died circa 1997 (we were told)
  • HARDING, Robert Evan (22545159), Gren Gds – Died 29 Feb 2016, aged 82
  • HARRINGTON, Donald Richard (Don) (22712094), Gren Gds – Died 11 Jan 2017, aged 82
  • HAVERSON, Christopher Paul (24164832), Gren Gds – Died 25 Nov 2011, aged 56
  • HEARN, Major Tom (not known), Welsh Gds – Died 28 Jan 2007
  • HILLYARD, D (David) (2616547 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 1998
  • HINCHCLIFFE, Arnold S (22545352), Gren Gds – Died 18 Nov 2004
  • HIRCOCK, THW (2617818), Gren Gds – Died 2008
  • HOLLAWAY, K (2626120), Gren Gds – Died 1995
  • HOPE, John (not known), RHG – Died around 25 Dec 2002
  • HOPKINS MM, WF (Will) (2610974 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 05 Apr 2001
  • HOPKINS, PJ (2618332), Gren Gds – Died 1998
  • HORTON, WE (Wally) (2621899), Gren Gds – Died 08 Mar 2005
  • HUNT, MJ (Mike) (23577709), Gren Gds – Died 04 Apr 2005
  • IZARD, Captain Gerald J (not known), Gren Gds – Died 06 Aug 2009
  • JENKINS, Don (2621793 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 08 Nov 2006
  • JONES, Alan ET (22213898), Gren Gds – Died 03 Oct 2022, aged 89
  • KERR, Frank (2624719), Gren Gds – Died May 2005
  • KILDUFF, Martin R (22545865), Gren Gds – Died 08 Mar 2017, aged 82
  • KNIGHT, L (not known), Gren Gds – Died 1987
  • LADD, FD (1854648), Gren Gds – Died 1993
  • LAKER, Edward (Ted) (2626288), Gren Gds –, Died 10 Apr 2013, aged 86
  • LENNOX, Walter Horace (Len) (2623093), Gren Gds – Died 15 Dec 2011, aged 89
  • LINGREN, SW (2626535), Gren Gds – Died 2001
  • MARSH, John C, (2627985), Gren Gds – Died 28 Sep 2015, aged 88
  • MARSHALL, William Charles Frederick (Bill) – Former Branch Visiting Friend – (22705790), Gren Gds – Died 23 Jun 2020, aged 86
  • MASKELL, AC (2607543), Gren Gds – Died 1981
  • MASON, G (2620803), Gren Gds – Died 1985
  • McCULLOCH, Jerry (not known), Scots Gds – Died 17 Mar 2000
  • McSHERRY, PW (2629296), Gren Gds – Died May 2000
  • MILLINGTON, Peter J (22698290), Gren Gds – Died 12 Mar 2012, age not known
  • MILLS, George A (22545771), Gren Gds – Died 21 Aug 2022, aged 87
  • MOON, AF (2615143), Gren Gds – Died 1983
  • MUDDIMAN, Bernard A (2614016), Gren Gds – Died 26 Dec 2009, aged 94
  • NEAME, Captain Richard D – Former Vice President – (not known), Gren Gds – Died 10 Feb 2002
  • NEWMAN, Frederick I C (Fred or “Lofty”) (2627880), Gren Gds – Died 19 Nov 2014, aged 89
  • PAIN, Harry GR (2624807), Gren Gds – Died 29 Apr 2014, aged 87
  • PALMER, Peter (14865901), Gren Gds – Died Nov 2017, aged 91
  • PAY, C (Cyril) (not known), Coldm Gds – Died 29 Mar 2002
  • PEERS, Horace Albert (Harry) (2624346), Gren Gds – Died 24 Apr 2021, aged 97
  • POLLARD, Dennis Roy (2625108), Gren Gds – Died Jun 2008
  • PRESCOTT MC, Brigadier Peter GA – Former Vice President – (not known), Gren Gds – Died 31 Oct 2007
  • PRITCHARD, George Henry (2628726), Gren Gds – Died 14 Nov 2023, aged 95
  • PULLEN, Arthur J – Branch Founder – (2608723 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 1984
  • REDMAN, A (2614500), Gren Gds – Died 1995
  • ROGERS, Peter (22213767), Gren Gds – Died 06 May 2022, aged 88
  • ROBSON, Roland (2626481), Gren Gds – Died Jul 2004
  • ROUSELL, Major CG (2613582 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 27 Jul 1996
  • RUSSELL, Ronald Anthony (23760229), Gren Gds – Died 28 Jun 2024, aged 85
  • SAYERS, RS (2625800 or 2625880), Gren Gds – Died 01 Nov 2002
  • SAVAGE, James C (Jim) (23756945), Gren Gds – Died 18 Jul 2023, aged 84
  • SHAW, Ron (22955585), Gren Gds – Died Oct 2010, aged 72
  • SILK, William TG (Bill) (Regimental number not held on record) – Coldm Gds – Died 08 Apr 2022
  • SIMMONS, AS (2616531), Gren Gds – Died 01 Jun 2001
  • SMITH, G (14433 (V)), Gren Gds – Died 1989
  • SMITH, GG (2620609), Gren Gds – Died 1982
  • SPACKMAN, John R (2625916), Gren Gds – Died 12 May 2019, aged 93
  • SPENCER, Keith M (22545365), Gren Gds – Died Feb 2004
  • TAYLOR, AJ (2621102), Gren Gds – Died 26 Dec 2004
  • TAYLOR, GA  (4975093), Gren Gds – Died 2004, age not known
  • TAYLOR, H (Harry) (not known), Life Gds – Died 05 Nov 2010, age not known
  • TINGEY MBE, Ron (WR) (22213068), Gren Gds – Died 27 Jun 2008
  • TRACEY, Edward (Ted) L (23583473), Gren Gds – Died 04 Oct 2012, aged 74
  • WARMAN, Alan Arthur (not known), Gren Gds – Died 29 Nov 2015, aged 75
  • WATERHOUSE, Brian (22551536), Scots Gds – Died 24 Jun 2021, aged 85
  • WEBSTER, William Frederick Alexander (Bill) (2627713), Gren Gds – Died 19 Aug 2016, aged 89
  • WEST, Harry Cyril – Former Hon. Secretary – (2627498), Gren Gds – Died 30 Nov 2017, aged 90
  • WHYBOURNE, HJ (14913), Gren Gds – Died 1981
  • WIGMORE, Frank E (24070769), Gren Gds – Died 26 Feb 2009
  • WILKIN, Albert Frederick George (22213006), Gren Gds – Died 21 Apr 2016, aged 91
  • WILLIAMSON, A (2616852), Gren Gds – Died 10 Oct 2001

Regimental Collect

O God, grant that thy servants, the Grenadier Guards, may ever be mindful of their proud and costly heritage, that continuing to guard what is right, and fighting for what is just, they may so serve thee here in this life that they may be counted worthy to join those who now continue their service in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them

Guards Memorial, Horse Guards Parade