Page 78 - Bugle Autumn 2023

SOUTH WEST
FREEDOM OF EXETER & WELLINGTON
On Saturday the 17th June The Rifles reaffirmed their Freedom of Exeter and also tool part in Exeter’s Armed Forces Day. This was followed by a parade to receive the Freedom of Wellington.
The award of the Freedom of Wellington has been a great privilege. It reflects the strong links that exist today between this town and our Regiment (three officers on parade were former pupils of Wellington School, and a member of the Salamanca Band lives in the town.) It also reflects a connection that runs back through centuries, forged in the time of the Duke of Wellington, who took his name from this town.
The Regulars were represented by Fire Support Company and Buglers from 5th Battalion The Rifles and the Reservists were represented by HQ Company 6th Battalion The Rifles. They marched together as a single guard, commanded by Major Chris Groves, since this is how they operate overseas – shoulder to shoulder, Regular and Reserve.
The Cadets are a vital part of the regimental family and it was tremendous to see so many of them on parade, drawn from across Somerset. The Somerset ACF Band and Bugles went on to lead the Armed Forces Day National Event the following weekend
in Falmouth, and later this summer we will have over 400 Cadets from Somerset on their annual camp on Dartmoor, developing the life skills and resilience that hold such value today.
the Freedom of Wellington has been a great privilege. It reflects the strong links that exist today between this town and
our Regiment
Freedom of Exeter - The Salamanca Band & Bugles and 5 & 6 RIFLES outside Exeter Cathedral (Photo credit Rory McCaffrey)
78 RIFLES The Bugle
Wellington Freedom Parade participants (Photo credit Jack Evans)
The Mayor of Wellington Cllr Marcus Barr handing the Wellington Freedom Scroll to the Col Comdt, Lt Gen TR Copinger-Symes CB (Photo credit Jack Evans)
(L-R) Jim Durrant
(91) cuts the cake, Ms Rebecca Pow,
Col Comdt Lt Gen TR Copinger-Symes CBE, Cllr Marcus Barr, Mr Mohammed Saddiq, Mr Robert Drewett (Photo credit Rory McCaffrey)