Page 240 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

RGJ Association Oxford Branch
The branch continues with its efforts to promote our successors as the County Regiment, the Ri es, as well as cherishing its’ past with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (OBLI). Our President Brigadier (Retd) Robin Draper is foremost in this and at any opportunity sounds the bugle call. As a branch we are privileged to be able to have our bi-annual lunches, Band Concert and Reunion at the home of A Coy 7 Ri es and are grateful for the support they give us. We continue to build on this relationship with an eye to the long term for members when, as the OBLI moved to become RGJ, we move on to reform as a branch of the Ri es Association in the future. At this year’s reunion we could not secure the Waterloo Band but invited the Band & Bugles of the Oxfordshire ACF to play a short concert for those assembled. This proved to be a great success besides giving those young musicians the con dence to play to an audience. We hope that some of them will continue on to have a musical career with the Ri es. Our thanks to Bugle Major Phil King for organising the band.
NOT EVEN A ROAD CLOSURE COULD KEEP THE RIFLEMEN AWAY FROM HONOURING ONE OF THE REGIMENT’S MOST FAMOUS SONS
We have had a full programme alongside our usual activities with many members attending the dedication of the VC paving stones in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire especially Sjt Edward Brooks VC (OBLI) who was born in Oakley in Oxfordshire. The wreath laying ceremony on June 6th at the grave of Major John Howard of Pegasus Bridge fame continues to be well supported and this year we were honoured by the presence of General Bob Pascoe who had a break from his usual trip to Normandy. Not even a power cut in the village of Clifton Hampden resulting in a road closure could keep the Ri eman away from honouring one of the Regiments most famous sons. Nor did it stop us nding a suitable watering hole where we were made welcome and invited back next year.
The Blackbird Leys Bowls Club invited the branch along to a friendly bowls match. Even though nearly all of us had never set foot on a bowling green we managed to force an honourable draw, after some generous scoring by our hosts. Our two lady bowlers. Ann (Flo) Roper and Diane Mackriell proved to be a match for the locals winning several “Ends”. It was again a good opportunity, that Robin exploited, to connect with a part of the community.
There was a good turnout from branch members for the Ri es exercising of the Freedom of the Vale of White Horse in Faringdon on 25th June. Despite some heavy showers spirits were not dampened and I had the good fortune to meet up with several past colleagues from my time with the Ri es. Roy Bailey was at his most imaginative in getting shots of the parade from two upper windows overlooking the square.
The Turning of the Pages Service held every two months in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford jointly with our comrades from the Queen’s Own Oxford- shire Hussars, goes from strength to strength with great interest shown by the local media and the tourists who are visiting the Cathedral during the services. We are in the process of negotiating the installation and provision of a new book of remem- brance that will continue to honour those from our Regiments who have given their lives in the service of their Country since WW2. This separate book will cover the RGJ and the Ri es to the present day and beyond. It is hoped to have this in place by 2018 where on November 11th we are to have a special Evensong Service to mark the end of WW1.
Some of you may remember the old Cowley Barracks that was the Depot of the OBLI and a prominent landmark in Oxford. Sadly it has now been demolished after use for many years as a depot for BT with the site being redeveloped into a student accommodation complex for Oxford Brookes University. Robin and I are in consultation with the developers for a tting memorial stone depicting what the site was pre demolition and its’ place in local history. So far our discussions are going well and we have the backing of Oxford City Council. I mention this as it proves that interacting with the local Community factions to promote the Regiment does have its bene ts as we are not an unknown organisation. The hard work from our Committee will, I am sure, allow me to report further success next year with a continued strong branch both in actions and membership.
Terry Roper Chairman
Derek Chivers salutes Maj Howard’s grave
238 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
THE RIFLES