Page 13 - Bugle Spring 2024

Belgium Commemoration
2 RIFLES
Sounding the advance in Belgium
In the lead up to Armistice Day, B Coy 2 RIFLES were tasked with assisting the JCCC in two burial services: firstly, for two unknown soldiers and secondly for Rfn Frederick Adams of 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade.
Due to autumnal flooding in Northern France, shortly after our departure, news came over that the burial site in Passchendaele had collapsed. Nonetheless the 16-strong team departed for Ypres, Belgium.
The first service undertaken was beneath the Menin Gate. The daily sounding of the Last Post was accompanied by 2 RIFLES laying a wreath in the pouring rain with a crowd of 200. Rfn Graham Sounded the Advance, which was an incredible privilege for any bugler to be able to play at such a special location.
In early November the Riflemen hosted a
memorial service for Rfn Adams. His distant relatives, Bob and Maurine attended at a makeshift service at Talbot House, a poignant place for soldiers in WW1 and a location rich in military history. Father Dow CF brought together the thoughts and reflections from current and past affairs. Our Riflemen did an incredible
job given the circumstances, and proudly presented the ceremonial side of a light role Infantry Battalion with style and respect.
The planning and preparation were meticulously handled by Sjt MacDaid with the help of Sjt Hughes. None of this could have happened without them and JCCC were impressed by the efficiency and preparation of the events. It was just a shame we couldn’t complete the full burial.
2Lt Harvey Dinkele,
OC 5 Platoon, B Company
A profound ceremony for Rifleman Adams
Op INTERFLEX – The Basic Training Instructor’s Course
During my time on Operation INTERFLEX, we carefully navigated the delicate task of delivering crucial training to those destined for the front line in Ukraine. We had to overcome many challenges, such as those posed by the language barrier and cultural differences.
As each course passed, we began to refine it and improve the delivery of training essential for success on the battlefield. I had spent a short period of time on the Basic Infantryman’s Course (BIC) before transitioning into teaching the Ukrainian instructors. We went into it almost blind; whilst we understood what we were being asked to achieve, it was how we were going to do that which presented a challenge. We focused on delivering training in a manner somewhat like the DTTT and Skill-at-
Arms skills taught to our JNCOs, however, condensed to meet a 28-day training package requirement.
The Ukrainian instructors truly engaged with our methods of teaching and that was evident when we began assessing them during their delivery. The course ran in unison with the BIC so they could see how 2 RIFLES had delivered the course previously, allowing them to make improvements of their own. The aim was to have them teach
to a high standard so they could return to Ukraine and deliver the training organically.
We worked in smaller teams which allowed us to build a rapport with the instructors and create a positive working environment. By the end of the four weeks, it was particularly satisfying to watch
how they had developed their teaching techniques to enhance the delivery of training. As instructors, we then handed them over to the other training teams for the next course, which would allow them
to showcase their instructional capacity to the troops that they may well be fighting shoulder-to-shoulder in the coming months.
My own capabilities were vastly improved
The Ukrainian instructors truly engaged with our methods of teaching
through delivering instructional training to keen and motivated individuals with military experience I could draw on to enhance
my own understanding of the conflict’s intricacies that were becoming the ‘norm’ within Ukraine.
Never to miss an opportunity to instil some ‘Rifle-isms’ into the Ukrainian instructors, it’s safe to say that now a large element of the Ukrainian fighting force in the future will be familiar with the word ‘sword’ and indeed the function of the Bugle on the battlefield.
A truly humbling experience and one that sits with myself and my fellow instructors in the future. Swift & Bold
Cpl R Charlesworth, 2 RIFLES.
Trainers, trainees and linguists. Everyone doing their bit
RIFLES The Bugle 13