Page 212 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

hope to be able to let him have a broom cupboard in the Keep in which he can work when in Cornwall, but without a staff and with no permanent presence in the County it would seem that many of the Assistant Secretaries; tasks will just wither.
On the Regimental Association front, Plymouth under the chairmanship of Mr J Kemsley, Truro under Maureen Chipman, and West Cornwall under Mr M Clarke, gamely carrying on with ever decreasing numbers. Bodmin Branch, under the charismatic chairmanship of Nigel James and the support of the secretarial staff at the Keep, seems to be keeping its head above water. The Paardeberg dinner held at the Sandy Lodge Hotel, Newquay, was an outstanding success. Not only had Nigel managed to borrow the Devon’s regimental silver from Exeter, so that the occasion took on the splendour of an of cers’ mess dinner night, but he had persuaded Alan Tamblyn to provide buglers from the Light Infantry Buglers Association and the 6th Battalion
the Ri es Band under WOII Sandra Davies. They entertained us with music before, during and after dinner with a programme, far more extensive than we could ever have anticipated. They really did us proud, and we only hope that they enjoyed their evening with us. The Bodmin Branch looks forward to providing a healthy contingent to represent the Light Infantry at the march past the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday this year. The DCLI will also again be represented at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey for the rst time for many years.
Inspite of facing a future clouded by nancial cuts and unresolved problems, we are by no means downhearted and look ahead with optimism and con dence.
ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW – JUNE 8TH AND 9TH - RIFLE OFFICERS CLUB TENT
Another successful lunch was held at The County Showground with over 100 guests sitting down to lunch over the two days. The tent is a popular watering hole in the centre of the showground supply refreshments through the day as well as a superb lunch to members. Once again, we were grateful for the support of D Company, 6 Ri es, for providing the manpower to enable us to host this event.
Forthcoming Events
RIFLES (SW) GOLF DAY – 8TH SEPTEMBER
Held at the prestigious St Enodoc Golf Club overlooking the Camel Estuary. This event has been reduced to one day as the cost of playing on a Saturday has made the event unsustainable. The Club look after us brilliantly and the lunch is a mini reunion. The afternoon mixed foursomes is probably the only event where our lady golfers get a change to display their skills.
RALLY DAY –SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER
A gathering of Association members from across the South West. This event is hosted at The Keep, Bodmin, and coordinated annually by The Bodmin Branch of the Association. Last year was very successful and with the event now published on social media we hope to expand the attendance in future years.
RIFLES (SW) OFFICERS CLUB LUNCH – SATURDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER
This lunch will be held on Saturday 30th September at The Arundell Arms, Lifton. The aim is to bring together of cers serving from the antecedent and forming regiments in the South West of England in a relaxed setting and enjoy the superb facilities at The Arundell Arms. Last year saw of cers and their guests from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset sit down to discuss mutual friends and of course the success of The Ri es. It is hoped that this event will develop into an annual event in The Ri es Calendar considering the heavy South West in uence of forming Regiments.
Debbie Fisher
Cornwall’s Regimental Museum, The Keep, Bodmin, Cornwall Pl31 1EG. Tel: 01208 72810
Obituaries
Dennis Irons died on the 22nd June 2017 in the Windmill Court Nursing Home, near Padstow at the age of eighty-two. Born in Wadebridge on 21st November 1934, his father was an engine driver on the railway, and it was thus that as a small child he developed an enduring love of steam locomotives. Educated at Wadebridge primary school and the outstanding Harleigh Grammar School in Bodmin, he took his rst job as a booking clerk at Wadebridge station to be close to the many steam hauled trains that passed through daily.
At eighteen he was enlisted into the DCLI, being
trained at the Depôt in Bodmin before serving in A Coy
1 DCLI, rst at Clifton Barracks, Minden, and then at Prospect, Bermuda. Whilst out in Bermuda he managed to break his leg (moving the Serjeant Major’s piano), have his appendix removed, and whilst swimming with his mates, found that a shark had joined their party! Nevertheless, like so many National Servicemen, he thoroughly enjoyed the life, and always looked back on his Regiment with great pride. He always said that the discipline and respect he learnt stayed with him throughout his life.
In 1958 he met Gloria Paul at a dance in Wadebridge marrying her two years later. They had one daughter, Julie. Apart from Gloria and steam engines, Dennis had a third love of his life – racing pigeons. He became a
considerable expert, winning many competi- tions. His favourite bird, called McGinty, was a stray from Ireland whose owner, considering the pigeon useless, allowed Dennis to keep it. After much training and nurturing, McGinty won the National race from Luxemburg – a considerable achievement. After the closure of the railway at Wadebridge, Dennis worked for the local undertakers and then for the building suppliers, Jewsons.
Sadly, only six months after his retirement in 1999, Gloria became seriously ill, dying four years later. Although heartbroken, Dennis was determined to get on with life, learning how to cook and happily helping on his daughter’s dairy farm near Padstow. Even after suffering a stroke he continued to look after himself almost to the end of his life. We extend our sincerely sympathy to Julie, her husband Patrick, and to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
WHILST OUT
IN BERMUDA
HE MANAGED
TO BREAK
HIS LEG
MOVING THE
SERJEANT
MAJOR’S PIANO
210 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
THE RIFLES