Page 36 - Bugle Spring 2024

6 RIFLES
The Salamanca Band and Bugles
2023 was another year of increasing commitments with Army Reserve Bands topping 50% of all army music engagements for the first time this year. Being the only army band west of Tidworth Garrison means we have quite an area to cover, from Hereford in the north, to Poole and Truro in the south.
With our main priority being to support 6 RIFLES and the wider RIFLES Regiment we have supported many events, including the Freedoms of Exeter and Wellington (completed on the same day!) and numerous concerts, bugle breakfasts, dinners, engage to recruit events, funerals and wreath laying services. Our foreign travels this year have seen the main band travel to Madrid and Salamanca
for their Annual Deployment and smaller ensembles and buglers, led by Bugle Major Andy Gate, performed in Prague, Bratislava and Belgrade. The feedback we have received from Ambassador’s and Defence Attaches has been excellent.
Our support to service charities is always
a pleasure and we have quite a following amongst the local veterans and populace who really enjoy the RIFLES brand of music and
in particular our bugles! We have performed numerous concerts for the RBL and ABF and our contribution to The Devon Festival of Remembrance in Exeter Cathedral is always a
we have welcomed five new musicians this year and as I write have another five waiting in the wings
highlight of our calendar.
In other news, we have welcomed five
new musicians this year and as I write have another five waiting in the wings. The Band and Bugles currently total 36. We have sadly said farewell to LCpl Neil Parsley who has retired after serving from the age of 18 to
65 in the same band! Initially Neil joined
The Wessex Regiment Volunteer band and has been through a number of guises to its current form. We wish Neil and Julie the very best in their retirement. The Band PSI left us and then re-joined as the Bandmaster; WO1 (BM) Richard Cregan and CSjt Harvey German became our new Band PSI.
The great family atmosphere and camaraderie created by our love of music and performance means the future is bright for the Salamanca Band and Bugles.
Capt Lee Clayson, Director of Music
The Salamanca Band and Bugles marches through Wellington
Liskeard and The Rifles sign Armed Forces Covenant
Major Tom Roden, OC D Coy, and The Mayor of Liskeard, Councillor Simon Cassidy, signed the Armed Forces Covenant in a ceremony at the Public Halls. This commitment by Liskeard, a RIFLES Freedom Town, provides excellent opportunities for the 5 pillars of the regiment. This event has built on the close relationship that is already in place between us, and there are plans for more combined activities to take place in the future.
An 81mm mortar in action
Exercise STEELBACK RAIN marked
the deployment of the 81mm Mortar Cadre, led by CSjt Cank (6 RIFLES) and Sgt Warwick (3 Royal Anglian), during the 19 Brigade Annual Deployment Exercise (ADE) in September. Amidst the challenges of Op INTERFLEX impacting training, a joint team seized the opportunity for a mixed Regular and Reserve Mortar Cadre at STANTA, facilitated by the DTC Warminster.
The initial week of the course
delved into comprehensive training
on the weapon system, covering
all detachment roles. Starting with
a general introduction, the focus progressed to the mortar system, weapon handling, and a structured blend of demonstrations and low-level exercises. Week one concluded with individual assessments, including a demanding five-mile heavy carry, a timed into-action exercise (successfully completed by all students) and the 81mm Mortar weapon handling test.
The subsequent week centred on live firing serials to qualify detachments, progressing from bedding into fire adjustment and individual missions with HE and Illumination rounds. The culmination featured the execution of
a fire plan.
This course underscored the
advantages of uniting specialists under 19 Brigade, yielding a more successful outcome than isolated unit training. The collaboration leveraged experience and skills across the brigade, reinforcing Specialist Weapon capability within 6 RIFLES and the broader brigade while providing an opportunity to qualify regular personnel.
Capt Sid Cobbold
Ex
STEELBACK
RAIN
36 RIFLES The Bugle