Page 237 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Ri es Oxford Of ce
The past year has seen a wide range of activity involving all pillars of the regiment.
Events of particular note were rstly the unveiling of the commemorative pavior to Edward Brooks VC adjacent to the war memorial in the churchyard of St Mary’s at Oakley in Buckingham- shire, the village where he was born, on Friday 8th April. This was the centenary of the action at Fayet where CSM Brooks won his VC for saving his colleagues by single handedly capturing an enemy machine gun. The pavior was unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher and a Ri es wreath was laid by Brigadier Simon Plummer in front of a large crowd of onlookers. The honour guard was provided by A Coy 7 Ri es accompanied by two buglers. The parish put on an excellent WW1 related history display in the village hall and ensured we were all well fed and watered.
On 11th May 2016 the Ri es were granted the Freedom of the Vale of White Horse at a meeting of the council which we attended. However, we had been unable to exercise that Freedom until this Summer. Consequently Sunday 25th June found us enjoying sunshine and showers in front of an appreciative crowd of locals and veterans in Faringdon at the Western end of the Vale. 7 Ri es provided the main marching body supported by 4 Ri es and Oxfordshire (The Ri es Battalion) ACF. The marchers were fronted by the Waterloo Band and Bugles who also played in the Market Square prior to the inspection and provided a quintet during the post parade hospitality event in the Corn Exchange. This venue had also hosted a
regimental history talk by Brig (Retd) Robin Draper on the Friday evening. Senior Ri es representative on the day was Brig Rob Thomson, Ri es Col Greater London & Home Counties, who replied to the speeches given by the Vice Lord Lieutenant John Harwood and the Chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council Councillor Reg Waite.
THE PARISH PUT ON AN EXCELLENT WW1 RELATED HISTORY DISPLAY IN THE VILLAGE HALL AND ENSURED WE WERE ALL WELL FED AND WATERED
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 235
Brig Plummer lays a wreath at the Brooks VC pavior ceremony
Brooks VC paviour and Oakley war memorial