Shoeburyness Branch RAA    |      Branch History   |   Guestbook   |   Branch Officers   |   Diary   |   Branch Meetings   |   Notice Board   |   Ladies Section   |   Reports   |   Galleries   |   Shoeburyness   |   Contact   |   Links   |   Departed Comrades Branch History RAA Shoeburyness Branch History The first local Branch of the Royal Artillery Association was formed in Shoeburyness Garrison on 17th January 1929. At this time the Branch consisted of 199 Members, 108 of whom were serving Gunners.The first recorded Branch Officers were, President; Col. C.R. Gillett D.S.O. R.A. Treasurer; Maj. H.T. Moore M.C. R.A. and Secretary; Capt. E.E. Sharpe R.A. By the end of 1931 membership had reached 503 and by the beginning of 1933 it was 667. Approximately 95% of Gunners serving in the Garrison were members. As with many other Branches, Shoeburyness Branch closed down during the war years. However Welfare work was still carried out by two "Gunner Friends", Mr. Bert Allen, well known in Southend Public life and Maj. F. Barber M.B.E. R.A., in Shoebury. Applications for relief were forwarded by these two men to H.Q. R.A.A. Although a Branch of the R.A.A. was reformed in October 1944, within the local Royal British Legion Branch, the Shoeburyness Branch R.A.A. was not fully reformed until 15th May 1945, initiated by Brigadier Lickman and Major Barber. Within three months membership was up to 136 and by the end of 1946 had reached 280 members. Over the intervening years the membership has stayed reasonably static although some serious declines in membership have occurred, due mainly to the reduction and finally cessation of Regiments being stationed in Shoebury, the last being 36 Heavy Air Defence Regiment in 1971. Membership today stands at approximately 120. A "Ladies Guild was formed before the Second World War, closed during the war and reformed as the Shoeburyness Ladies Section R.A.A. on 5th February 1946. The Ladies Section closed again after some years but was reformed again in 1998 and is now a thriving Section and a very important part of the Shoeburyness Branch of the Royal Artillery Association.       Contents ©2009 The Royal Artillery Association. Shoeburyness Branch