Page 219 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Buckingham Palace Reception
A very welcomed invite was received by three members of the DLI Association to attend a reception to be given at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty The Queen to celebrate the patronages and Af lia- tions of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy on Tuesday 29th November 2016.
As many know in the Northeast the Princess has been our Patron for the association for many years and is affectionately known in these northern parts as “Wor Lass” a name given to HRH to signify her very close links with the Regiment and the County of Durham.
Upon arrival in London and as previously agreed the Association Chairman, Major Paul Wharton, the Association Secretary Lt Col John Heron and Mr Michael Coulson a Durham City Branch member all met in the Admiralty Tavern, Trafalgar Square, for a quick swift and bold before proceeding to join the other invited guests at the palace. Upon our arrival it was a delight to meet up with Col Rex Stevenson, Captain Ron Gittings and Mr Alan Tamblyn and it was fantastic to see that the silver bugle was well represented, so a quick regimental group was formed for the evening.
Once inside the palace it was pleasing to see that the Government Austerity measures had not
stretched to the control of the central heating and everyone, the many guests attending were greatly relieved to be warm from the bitter cold weather outside. -10° it was rumoured!
The evening formally began by HRH The Princess Alexandra making an opening address and thanking Her Majesty The Queen for giving the reception at Buckingham Palace. HRH then gave a very warm welcome to all attending and thanked everyone for all the work and continued support towards the many organisations that the Princess is Patron and Af liated.
During the course of the reception and as the evening proceeded we had the honour to be intro- duced to HRH The Duke of Gloucester and HRH The Countess of Wessex when among many other different topics that were discussed were a few Ri es, LI, regimental war stores, some going a long way back from the old and bold DLI members.
Sadly and all too soon, the reception was over and it was time to leave and say farewell to our regimental friends and return to the Admiralty for a warm night cap before venturing out once more into the cold night and home. Finally may I say on behalf of the 3 Durham’s it was an honour and a privilege to be invited to attend the reception and to represent the DLI Association.
SADLY AND ALL TOO SOON, THE RECEPTION WAS OVER AND IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE AND SAY FAREWELL
Bishop Auckland Railway Plaque – The Golden Thread
Friday 17 March 2017 saw members of the DLI Association, councillors and members of the Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP come together for the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to those members of The Durham Light Infantry, The Light Infantry and The Ri es who lived in Bishop Auckland and left to go to war from the Bishop Auckland railway station since WW1 to the present day. There is a “Golden Thread” that connects all these regiments and it is depicted on the plaque for all to see.
The town’s railway station is now the proud home of the plaque that honours those who served in the DLI, The LI and The Ri es. Chairman of the DLI Association, Major Paul Wharton MM said “It repre- sents all the many servicemen from the regiment who went from this station to represent their battalions of the DLI who fought in the First World War”. “War should not be glori ed but it is the people who take part in it should be respected”. The plaque incor- porating the “Golden Thread” that links all the three regiments, recognising not just those who fought in WW1 and WW2 but in con icts since and including Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
It was the brainchild of Charlie Clarey of Finklegate Properties who wanted the town’s military history recorded for all to see. Councillor Sam Zair who unveiled the plaque handed over £2000 from his Neighbourhood Budget to the project and then worked in partnership with the DLI Association and Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP to deliver it. “This is for all those servicemen who left this station to go and ght for King and Country” said Councillor Zair. “I’d like to encourage grandfathers to bring their children and grandchildren to see this plaque”, “we need, not forget those who made the ultimate sacri ce”.
The DLI Association Padre Revd Kenneth Crawford conducted the service and the blessing
of the plaque. He said “From the First World War onwards it has been appropriate that the chaplain be present as a sign of hope, stability and compassion”.
John Rolfe of the Bishop Auckland Branch DLI Association and himself a SNCO who served 22 years including the Light Infantry said “It will be a reminder for anyone passing through the concourse that it is a link from the past and the future”.
“IT WILL BE A REMINDER FOR ANYONE PASSING THROUGH THE CONCOURSE THAT IT IS A LINK FROM THE PAST AND THE FUTURE”
Revd Kenneth Crawford with members of the DLI Assn,,Mayor of Bishop Auckland and members of Bishop Auckland AAP
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 217