Page 60 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

Recent events has resulted in the suspension of all our branch meetings and the cancellation of all of this year’s Regi- mental and Association events. However, as all good ‘Riflemen’ we have adapted and overcome to enable us to mark selected national and Regimental events by using technology which has been embraced enthusiastically.
MINDEN DAY WREATH LAYING
The 1st of August is Minden Day, the Regi- mental Day of The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) which we mark annually with a wreath laying ceremony at the KOYLI Memorial in Elmfield Park, Doncaster.
This year saw the Vice President of the Association, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Graham Whitmore lay a KOYLI wreath and Kev Fawcett sounding Last Post and Reveille. The event was filmed and streamed online by Colin Cranswick the Association Secretary and can be viewed at Minden Day Wreath Laying Video (https://www.minden-day-wreath-la.theri- fleslikoyli.co.uk/). Some members of the Regi- mental Officers Club held an online Minden Day get together hosted by Major (Retired) Andrew Penny with Brigadier (Retired) Roger Preston proposing the KOYLI Regimental Toast ‘Ensign Dyas and the Stormers.’
VJ Day Anniversary Celebration at the National Arboretum
On the 15th of August, the National Memorial Arboretum was the location for the National Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day and the end of World War II. General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen, Colonel Commandant of The Rifles laid a poppy wreath with Yorkshire white roses at the Light Infantry (LI) Memorial in remem- brance of the 2nd and 7th Battalions of The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
The Regiment was represented by The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Standard carried by Association Secretary and Standard Bearer Colin Cranswick. After- wards the party were presented to HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Colonel in Chief of The Rifles, before she laid a wreath at the Royal Green Jacket Memorial in remembrance of all the antecedent regiments who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Far East.
KOYLI Memorial in
Elmfield Park Doncaster
General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen greets HRH Duchess of Cornwall
Laying a KOYLI wreath on VJ Day
NORTH
60 RIFLES The Bugle
Virtual RIFLES and Association Memorial Service
The annual RIFLES, LI and KOYLI Memorial Service is usually held
in the KOYLI Regimental Chapel in York Minster and followed by lunch at York Racecourse. This year the service and lunch were held virtually.
Padre Reverend Andrew Martlew conducted the service supported by The Rifles’ Regional Secretary Captain (Retired) Bob Roberts, Bugler Peter Bates and Association Secretary
Colin Cranswick who managed the
live stream from Doncaster Minster. Readings, via Zoom, were given by Colonel (Retired) Joe Charlesworth KOYLI and Captain Ben Clare Officer Commanding Y Company 8 Rifles. Online guests included Andrew Coombe the Lord Lieutenant of
South Yorkshire, Mayors from each
of the Freedom Towns and Cities
of Doncaster, Leeds, Kirklees and Wakefield and Cadets from Yorkshire North &West Army Cadet Force. They joined past and serving members of The Rifles and Association members including ex 1st/4th KOYLI veteran
Fred Adamson, who was 101 years
old in November. After the service Major General Charlie Collins, Colonel North and Midlands and Association President gave The Rifles update made special mention of Fred. Regimental Officers and Association members held a virtual lunch after the service. The video from the service can be viewed here (http://memorial-svc-031020. therifleslikoyli.co.uk/)
Fred Adamson
LIGHT INFANTRY AND KOYLI REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION