Page 63 - Bugle Spring 2024

The Association held its second Lazy Summer Afternoon BBQ and Cream Tea in the garden at The Keep in mid-July which was every bit as enjoyable as the first one and is now very firmly in the diary. The newly acquired marquee saw its second outing, although it wasn’t really necessary as the sun shone most of the day.
The Annual Reunion at The Keep was well attended with a Memorial Service at the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry War Memorial.
The names of Light Infantrymen who died on Operations were read out by Nigel James MBE. A pasty supper followed and Rob Phillimore, the new Museum Marketing Manager, entertained us with renditions of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s hits.
In October the Association was invited
to attend a service of remembrance for the 3,720 soldiers of the US 29th Infantry Division killed in battle between D-Day, 6 June 1944, and the Allied victory in Europe, 8 May 1945. The service included the rededication of
the 29th Division memorial plaque, which commemorates the soldiers of The 29th and the kindness of the Cornish people towards US Officers and enlisted men during the Division’s year-long stay in Bodmin.
Some of our veterans took part in the Tommy 10k walk around Bodmin, raising £170. The wheelchair friendly, circular walk started and finished at The Hole in the Wall Public House, incorporated the War Memorials in Priory Park and at The Keep.
The Lucknow Dinner at the Kilbirnie Hotel, Newquay was the largest dinner so far, with 116 people seated in its candle-lit dining room. The Lostwithiel (DCLI) Town Band entertained the Association and their guests with the event being preceded by supper at The Smugglers Inn on Friday evening, and a brisk walk along the coast on Saturday morning.
Remembrance Weekend was kicked off with a Black-Tie Dinner at the Army Reserve Centre (ARC), Truro hosted by D Company
6 RIFLES. Despite a late finish, members of
the Association met at Rough Tor Car Park
on Bodmin Moor at 09.00 hrs the following morning to ascend the Tor to lay a wreath
at the 43rd Wessex Division War Memorial
on its summit. The oldest member, Barry Prynne (veteran of the DCLI) managed totally unaided both up and down the Tor. Last Post, two-minute silence and Reveille was observed with the DCLI Standard. Each corner of our Association: the DCLI, SCLI, LI and RIFLES was represented by members too many to name here.
Bodmin Town Council started its Remembrance Sunday Parade at St Lawrences Clock Tower at Town End before continuing a long-held tradition of Parading at The DCLI War Memorial at The Keep. Along with the Mayoral Party, the Vice Lord Lieutenant and High Sherrif, Association Members laid wreaths at the foot of ‘The Cornish Soldier’ before moving to the main event in Priory Park and St Petroc’s Parish Church.
Details of how to join the Association can be obtained from The Rifles Office Bodmin (01208 73595).
Some
of our veterans took part in the Tommy 10k walk
SOUTH WEST
THE DCLI, SCLI, LI & RIFLES ASSOCIATION CORNWALL
Barry Prynne at the Wreath Laying on 43 Wx Div Memorial, Rough Tor 11 November 2023
‘H’ Jones walk over Dartmoor
In June, the Exeter branch of the Regiment, organised their annual ‘H’ Jones Walk over Dartmoor. The outer point of the walk is the top of ‘Rough Tor’ where member Kev Fitz placed a Regimental letter box in 2014. The box is signed, the Last Post sounded
and Regimental March for absent friends and down
the hill for refreshments.
WAGON HILL LUNCH
Officers and family members enjoyed curry lunch at a new venue in the Wylye Valley to Longbridge Deverill. The Wagon Hill lunch has been in existence for over twenty years in order to keep the memory of the battle at Wagon
Hill in South Africa alive. Always an informal gathering, but one that paid formal and respectful homage to the men of the 1st Devons and to Lieutenant James Masterson in particular who was awarded the Victoria Cross there on the 6th January 1900.
PAGE TURNING
EXETER
CATHEDRAL
To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Invasion
of Italy and following on from
the successful monthly ‘Page Turning’ at Sherborne Abbey, we held our initial Remembrance
in Exeter Cathedral, just outside our Chapel. Names were read out by Brig Young and Last Post sounded to remember those members of the Regiment who had died on that day during the Invasion. Poignant and respectful service which will be repeated on a regular basis.
RIFLES The Bugle 63