Betfor Association
British Element Trieste Force
Faro della 
Vittoria
For ex-service men, especially those who served in BETFOR. We also welcome our friends in TRUST and all who know and love Trieste
Last Post
We are sad to learn of the death of Mrs Edda Stone, widow of Ian Stone of the 1st Northamptonshire Regiment. They met when Edda was working in the QM's office in Rossetti Barracks. They married in 1953. She later gained BA degree and became a primary school teacher. She has been described as a person of great charm and intelligence". She spoke five languages.
In the photograph above Edda is seated second from the left.
Last Posts
We have received the sad news of the death of Mr Royston Melhuish who served in Trieste with the 10th Royal Hussars in 1945. We wish to express our condolences to his family and friends.
We have learned the sad news also of the death of Mr Donald Buckland. Mr Buckland served with the North Staffordshire Regiment from 1952 to 1953. Our thoughts are with his wife, family and friends.
A Message from the Chairman:
Hello to all members.
It will be a pleasure to take over from Ray and to work with the rest of the Committee to take forward the Association as Jim Crow and Ray did in the past years. We are still a vibrant and lively group even if we are all getting on in years and I hope that, in the next three years of my tenure, we can be as active as we have been.
I have an excellent committee to work with and I am sure they are all as committed as I am to the smooth running of the Association.
In conclusion, I would like to wish you all good health and happiness.
With all my best wishes
John L Darby
Chairman.
If you are seeking information about a relative or friend who served with BETFOR please look first at our Roll Call where members' names are listed according to their regiments. Telephone numbers are given. You may be able to trace someone who served with your relative. Alternatively a notice may be placed in our quarterly journal. Contact Geoff Fleet, Hon Editor email:fleet@condurro.freeserve.co.uk
giving as much detail as you know.
BETFOR ASSOCIATION; VISITS, REUNIONS AND REGIONAL GET-TOGETHERS
The 2012 Reunion and AGM: The Bristol AGM decided to hold the 2012 Reunion and AGM from 16 to 18 March in Bury St Edmunds, historic town and tourist centre. The AGM was held on Sunday 18th March.
The minutes of the meeting were reported in the most recent BETFOR Association journal.
**********************
BETFOR ASSOCIATION VISIT TO TRIESTE 2012
It is time to be making your plans to visit Trieste next
June. Once the European Golden Oldies Rugby Festival
is over on 19th June we will be making our visit to the
Hotel Italia. Suggested dates are 20th or 21st June to
27th or 28th June.
Provided that we book early enough, the Italia will give
us a concession rate of 95.00 euro for a double/twin or
70.00 euro for a single. This is for room and buffet
breakfast. If you wish Roy Boyles to make a reservation
for you at the Italia he will do so for you when you have
confirmed that you have booked your travelling
arrangements.
There has been some concern about the use of the hotel
by cyclists who are in the habit of leaving their bikes in
the vestibule. The hotel has advised us that they have no
booking from them for the period of our visit, but they
are not prepared to guarantee there will be none! They
say that they are trying to find alternative storage for
bikes nearby. However, we have made enquiries at other
hotels in the centre of the city but have failed to find a
comparable alternative.
Of course, if you wish to make your own arrangements
you can do as Larry Southgate does and fix up your own
B & B.
Several members have already committed themselves
for the trip. Ryanair are flying from Stansted daily and
Birmingham on Thursdays and Sundays. Other carriers
operating to Trieste are from Heathrow by Alitalia
change in Rome and Lufthansa change in Munich. Both
have several alternative timings daily and can be
arranged for the middle of the day in both directions.
Lufthansa also operate on some days from London City,
Birmingham and Manchester. Approximate current
cheapest fares from London are – Ryanair £175,
Lufthansa £138 and Alitalia £252.
As before, there are also airlines flying from various UK
airports to Venice or Treviso. It is necessary to get a train
from there. The alternative is to let the “train take the
strain” all the way. Those who have travelled this way in
the past recommend that one takes an overnight stop
somewhere.
Please let Roy Boyles know if you are considering the
visit as soon as possible on 01159 215735 or email
royskiboyles@yahoo.co.uk.
********************
TRIESTE for the independent traveller
Larry Southgate has put together a mini-guide to help anyone who may wish to visit Trieste independently. Follow the link top right to Larry's page.
********************************
Regional Meetings
Local Betfor Association meetings are regularly arranged. Please try to get to one of these near you. They are usually held in a local hostelry where you can have a drink and a light lunch. If you do not see one in your region, please have a word with the Hon. Secretary, Roy Boyles 0115 9215735 and offer to organise a venue. Wives and partners are especially welcome at these get-togethers.
Wednesday 25th April – The Anchor, Streethay, Nr. LICHFIELD, WS13 8LS 1200hrs. Contact Colin Russell 01283
790147
Thursday, 10th May – The Encore, 27 Commercial Road,SOUTHAMPTON. 1130hrs. Contact John Barron 01794 514686
Tuesday 15th May – Mickel Brook Carvery, Councillor Lane Cheadle Nr STOCKPORT 1230hrs approx. Contact Larry
Southgate 0161 485 8507
Friday, 18th May – Rushbrooke Arms, Sicklesmere, BURY St EDMUNDS, 1130hrs. Contact Fred Greenwood 01284 787618
Thursday, 7th June – The Barn Bar & Restaurant, beside Rail station, TUNBRIDGE WELLS. Contact Terry Crimp 01273
305439
Friday 6th July – Great Northern Hotel (opp. Rail Station) PETERBOROUGH. 12 noon. Contact Gordon Wigg, 07980
411845
Friday, 10th August - Duke of York Pub, A515, 6 miles south oBUXTON 1200hrs. Contact Roy Boyles 0115 921 5735
Thursday 6th September – The Barn Bar & Restaurant, beside rail station, TUNBRIDGE WELLS. Contact Terry Crimp 01273
305439
Thursday 6th December – Christmas Luncheon - The Barn Bar & Restaurant, beside rail station TUNBRIDGE WELLS. Contact
Terry Crimp 01273 305 439
Major General Sir John Winterton KCMG CB CBE
Commander of the British, United States Zone & Allied Forces Military Governor
This portrait was presented to our Hon Treasurer. Look carefully at the inscription.
Membership of the Betfor Association: Membership or associate membership is open to all those who served in Northern Italy between 1945 - 1954 during the period of the Allied Military Government of the Free Teritory of Trieste and those with links to BETFOR and Trieste. Prospective members should contact Colin Russell, tel.01283 790147 or Crrussellqs@aol.com
.
Chairman John Darby 01512 871141
Vice-chairman and Editor Geoffrey Fleet 01872 225520
Secretary Roy Boyles 0115 9215735
Treasurer Terry Crimp 01273 305439
Membership Liaison Officer Colin Russell 01283 790147
Editor Geoffrey Fleet 01872 225520
Fred Greenwood 01284 787618
Larry Southgate 01614 858507
Webmaster Harry Dixon 01744 883298
Gerald Cockroft 0118 9734346
Court yard DuinoCastlePhoto albums
Your photos of Trieste in the days of BETFOR or in modern times. Click the link at the top of the page.
If you have photographs that you would like to see published in the photo albums, click on the "Public Upload" button on the Photo Albums page and follow the instructions.
There are albums for all Betfor units.