IF you are one of the thousands of Gwent people who served or who are serving in the Royal Artillery, the corps' regimental association is gunning for you.

"South Wales is Royal Artillery country. There are hundreds, if not thousands of people out there who served with the Gunners who we want to come back into the fold," Captain Bill Baker, 84, of Fairwater, Cwmbran and president of the Newport branch of the Royal Artillery Association said.

"We are not just a lot of old men sitting around talking about the war. We are very conscious of the fact that Gwent Gunners from 104 Regiment are currently serving in the Gulf.

"When those boys and girls come home we will be there for them." The Royal Artillery Association was formed shortly after the Great War, one of a myriad of charitable and social societies started up by the millions of men coming out of uniform.The Monmouthshire branch was formed in October, 1922.

Within a few months there were 55 members with a sub-branch at Bedwas. During the depressed 1930s an affiliated organisation was set up to help ex-Gunners find work. The branch was put into suspended animation during most of World War Two, being re-animated in March 1945.

A record membership of 200 enrolled after World War Two at which time there was a Gunnners' Club first at the Dock Street Drill Hall and later in Pill.

A ladies' section which is still an active part of the Association was added in 1953.

Captain Martin Morrison from Govilon is a former Gunner regular and now serves with Newport-based 104 Regiment to which the Association is affiliated. "It's understandable that regular or TA soldiers leaving the Royal Artillery don't immediately get themselves involved with the regiment's business. They are busy organising their civilian lives," he said.

"But as the years go by and things settle down people get more nostalgic and want to be involved again. We are a friendly group which meets at the sergeants' mess at Raglan Barracks on the first Tuesday of each month. We know there are a lot of old Gunners who would join if they knew more about us."

Paul Rowles, 51,from Duffryn, Newport, is a former full-time soldier with 22 Regiment, Royal Artillery who served with 104 after demobilisation in 1980.

"I'm one of the youngest members and the general 'go-fer'," he laughs. "The great thing about the Newport branch is that nobody cares about rank. We are a pretty democratic lot."

Cliff Jenkins the secretary and Martin Morrison can be contacted on 01873 854607 and 01873 831321 respectively. Mrs Gwen Cook for the ladies'section can be contacted on 01633 223189.