Page 239 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

The Ri es Of cers Oxford Club
The Ri es Of cers’ Oxford Club continues to ourish in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire as a focal point for the Regiment in our two counties. The Club bene ts from dining at Edward Brooks Barracks in Abingdon with the kind permission of the Commanding Of cer of 7 RIFLES and at the equally grand Judges’ Lodgings in Aylesbury, environments that readily combines the formality of an of cers’ mess with a welcoming and inclusive collegiate atmosphere. Embodied within its monthly luncheon and guest speaker programme, the Club has increasingly become a forum for thought and discussion on both the illustrious history of our forebears and on topics of importance to Ri emen and the wider community today.
The year began with a combined Club and RGJ Association luncheon that continues to be very well attended as an offset to the bleak mid-winter. In February, the Club was privileged to listen to the eminent historian, Chris Baker, describe “the battle that never was – Operation Hush” the amphibious landings on the Belgium coast in 1917 that were cancelled. In April, our own equally eminent historian, Stephen Barker, extended the theme of remem- brance by revisiting the 2nd Battalion of the Oxford- shire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry’s battle for the Redan Ridge in 1916. In March, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Courtney of the International Churchill Society (UK) returned to the Club to provide a fasci- nating insight into the writings and well known wit of the great man, to the considerable enjoyment of all present.
In May the Club and the RGJ Association hosted a highly successful World War 2 Veterans luncheon with 60 members and guests attending including three honoured combat veterans of the Oxford- shire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. We were also joined by the Managing Director of the Hook Norton brewery, Mr James Clark, who kindly and unexpectedly arrived with six dozen of his nest ales for the considerable enjoyment of all present. Major Eric Broderstad, Army Reserve Quartermaster of 7 RIFLES presented a most informative brief on how his battalion are playing their part in and meeting the many exciting challenges facing them with the usual élan, focus, innovation and wit found in every ri eman.
The annual 43rd & 52nd Regimental Of cers and Ladies luncheon continues to be very well subscribed with a solid body of members and their ladies attending the event this June. All were fascinated to listen to a talk by General Sir Robert Pascoe on the “Facts and Fictions of Waterloo”. In July, the Club hosted the annual Veterans Affairs and Pensions conference where interested parties from local government, service and regimental charities gathered to discuss how best to support those in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire who have served their country. Ri emen continue to gather with their colleagues from the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire
Hussars in the Regimental Chapel within Christ Church, Oxford to remember the fallen of the two world wars at the bi-monthly Turning of the Pages ceremony.
In September, the Club has invited Nick Haynes to talk on the current research and views concerning the engagement between the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot and Napoleon’s Imperial Guard in the closing stages of the Battle of Waterloo. At the October luncheon in Buckinghamshire, Chris Coade will present his research ndings and weave a tale about the continuing “mystery of the Bucks Battalion musical instruments” hidden at Wahagnies and protected by the French villagers from discovery after the battalion went forward to face the German blitzkrieg in 1940.
Plans are advancing for the 2018 programme and we look forward to the Club continuing to grow and contribute towards maintaining the high pro le of the Regiment in our two counties.
Maj (Retd) Tom Shannon TD PhD
Chairman
WE LOOK
FORWARD
TO THE CLUB
CONTINUING
TO GROW
WW2 veterans Reg Charles, Sam Langford & Vernon Jones after the May lunch
THE CLUB WAS PRIVILEGED TO LISTEN TO THE EMINENT HISTORIAN, CHRIS BAKER, DESCRIBE “THE BATTLE THAT NEVER WAS – OPERATION HUSH”
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 237