President’s Weekend 2023

Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd April | Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst

An exceptional weekend spent in Sandhurst, with a guided tour of the Old College within the Academy, coordinated by the Sandhurst Trust Saturday morning.

Later in proceedings, we heard the moving story from Bob a Royal Engineer veteran who was captured and taken hostage by Al-Qaeda in Yemen. He spent 565 days in captivity before being reunited with his wife, Sallie, and their children. It was also great to see that morning Warrant Holders climbing over army trucks, great fun. The evening was much more formal, commencing with a photo on the famous steps outside Old College where were entertained by 10 Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment with a traditional Kukri Dance. After the Bugle call for dinner senior guests were piped into dinner formally by the Pipe Major.

The dinner was set in the Indian Army Memorial Room a magnificent setting full of history. Stacey (President’s brother) and Matthew (pianist) played incidental music during the evening. It would not be a Regimental Dinner without the traditional Beef Wellington menu. Our after dinner speaker was Maj General Patrick Marriot a former Commandant of the Academy with post Dinner entertainment given by the Corps of Drums of the Royal Logistic Corps.

We were fortunate to have some Senior Military Commanders attend as guests who all commented on how they enjoyed the company of Royal Warrant Holders. Sunday consisted of a Church Service in the Royal Garrison Church followed by a traditional Sunday Roast.