Page 247 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

First public display of the 2017 Retreat in the Sherborne School Quad
Parade Commander Major Ben Coward and D Company 5RIFLES (Left) and C Company 6RIFLES (Right) formed up on the QUOMPS, Christchurch 22nd April
year. The centenary match was played on the 10th June, a narrow win for The Ri es and a xture set to become an annual one following which there was a Dinner where the Ri es had a Table.
Saturday 22nd April saw Guards from D Company 5RIFLES, C Company 6 RIFLES and a 30-strong contingent of Dorset ACF Cadets exercise the Freedom of Christchurch. The honour of Freedom was conferred on The Ri es in 2007 and accepted in 2008 but operational deployments prevented a public demonstration with the grant and acceptance carried out in Council by the County Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel Andy Edwards. There was much excitement therefore and the day though threatened by rain was warm and sunny. The Mayor reviewed the parade in the QUOMPS before driving to the Guildhall in the High Street with The Ri es Regional Colonel South West, Brigadier Maconochie, and VIP guests to accept the parade’s salute as they passed in review. The Parade continued to the Civic Of ces to Fall Out before ‘falling In to a Reception: VIPS in the Civic Of ces and Ri emen generously hosted by the RBL Club.
On Sunday 22nd April, Dorchester played host to a parade to mark the 50th year that the Drill Hall in the town had been occupied by a Reserve company; from 4DandD, The Ri e Volunteers to 6RIFLES, C Company had been based in Poundbury Road. Led by the OC, Major Toby Hood, the Company, supported by the Ri es Salamanca Band & Bugles marched from the Drill Hall to Borough Gardens where it was inspected by the Mayor.
The Company then marched off and, with great determination tackled the High Street hill, to march past the Mayor at the top and back to the Drill Hall for an excellent curry lunch. Many of the Bandsmen found the hill, their instruments and lungs at Ri es pace a challenge!
MANY OF THE BANDSMEN FOUND THE HILL, THEIR INSTRUMENTS AND LUNGS AT RIFLES PACE A CHALLENGE!
The Mayor and Brigadier Charles Maconochie, Ri es regional Colonel South West take C Company’s salute
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 245