Page 61 - Bugle Spring 2024

Brian Hamblin and Joe Collett
CENTRAL
70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE RETURN OF THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT PRISONERS OF WAR
In late November a service was held at Gloucester Cathedral to mark the 70th Anniversary of the ‘Return of Men of The Gloucestershire Regiment from Korea’. Seventy years ago, men from 1 GLOSTERS, together with others that had been captured by the Chinese at the Battle of the Imjin River, finally returned to UK.
This year, surviving veterans, serving Riflemen, cadets, families, ambassadorial representatives, and HM Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire attended the service. Joe Collett (right) was wounded in action
and evacuated from the battlefield before
the Battalion had been cut off and isolated. Brian Hamblin (left) fought with the Machine Gun Platoon of 1 GLOSTERS and, after the order ‘every man for himself,’ became a prisoner of war. Captivity lasted from late April 1951 until the armistice on 27th July 1953. Battalions of antecedent regiments from
the Gloucestershire Regiment, the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry and the Durham Light Infantry all served in Korea during what is sometimes known as the forgotten war.
KOYLI contingent
at the Light
Infantry Reunion
The antecedent regimental contingents on parade at the LI Reunion get smaller and smaller. The Somerset LI, DCLI and SCLI contingents no longer march, and the DLI contingent was down to two men in 2023. KSLI numbers are still holding up, perhaps because of geographical proximity, and last year it was good to see a hearty bunch of KOYLI veterans, led by Lt Col Ian Sawers, the last officer commissioned into the Regiment in 1968.
KOYLI Contingent at 2023 Reunion
Haberdashers’ Adams CCF Appointment
Haberdashers’ Adams CCF were delighted to welcome Lt Colonel Graham Rainey MC, Commanding Officer of NW Officer Training Corps, as inspecting Officer, and parents to their Biennial Inspection.
The Year 8s passed out, recognising the hard work and training they had put in over the year to meet the standards required to become full members of the school’s CCF. This achievement was celebrated by awarding them with RIFLES berets. Promotions, prize giving and an address from Lt Col Rainey followed.
RIFLES The Bugle 61