Page 17 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

2 RIFLES
On 7th October 2 Rifles were honoured to host the visit of the Battalion’s Royal Colonel, The Earl of Wessex. The visit was planned and conducted in the period of relaxed COVID restrictions, this enabled His Royal Highness a brief but valuable window. There was time to meet, albeit socially distanced, both the soldiers who made up the Rear Operations Group and the families of Riflemen deployed on Op TORAL 10.
His Royal Highness was initially taken to the Battalion’s Welfare centre where he met Miss Sarah Hulyer and saw her fantastic flower garden. Flowers on the patch were carefully grown by Sarah and her team and were
distributed to partners of our Riflemen. This was a significant morale boost to our families during a tough time for both partners of the deployed and isolated families due to COVID.
After a brief walk, His Royal Highness was presented to the family of Rifleman Brown,
a soldier who has suffered serious injuries. During the meeting, His Royal Highness presented the family with flowers as a thank you for supporting Rifleman Brown and providing the Battalion with information which due to restrictions were extremely hard to obtain, this has resulted in a speedy medical and rehabilitation recovery.
His Royal Highness culminated his visit with the families
with an audience of partners of members of the Battalion. During the conversa- tion that followed, His Royal Highness was especially interested in the experiences
of 2 RIFLES families during the lockdown, and how they have
coped with the challenges, especially for those that reside in Northern Ireland. His Royal Highness remarked on how well our families have tackled this difficult time in our history and was immensely proud of everyone’s stoicism.
After what was thought by all as a very impressive visit in the current climate, His Royal Highness left the Battalion secure in the knowledge that the soldiers and families of 2 RIFLES are in a strong position and ready for any further challenges that come.
Capt Lloyd
His Royal Highness remarked on how well our families have tackled this difficult time in our history
RIFLES The Bugle 17
2 RIFLES HOSTS A ROYAL VISIT