Page 256 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

SRM Charity Concert 1 Feb 17
Now that the Shropshire Regimental Museum (SRM), which includes the KSLI collection, has lost its Ministry of Defence funding, the local efforts to raise money have begun in earnest. One event which proved to be extremely popular (in fact, sold out) was a Charity Concert held at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, organised by Doc Halliday and hosted by HM Lord Lieutenant for Shropshire, Sir Algy Heber-Percy. A full musical programme included performances by the Band and Bugles of The Ri es, mezzo-so- prano Iona Fisher, the Halfway House Male Voice Choir, the RAF Cosford Military Wives Choir and the Buglers Association of the Light Division and Ri es. The audience numbered around 500 and over £4,000 was raised for the SRM Appeal.
Generous donation from Wellington fundraisers
The Plough Inn, in King Street, Wellington is not only one of the Shropshire town’s best pubs, but is also the hub of the fundraising operation run by Edd Lowe, formerly of 2LI and his wife Ruth. Over the last ten years the annual “Heroes Day” events at The Plough have raised £125,000 for military charities, with the 2017 event being the most successful yet, collecting over £24,000. This year, Edd and Ruth very kindly included Care for Casualties, The Ri es Charity, amongst the recipients and they presented Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Trelawny, the Ri es Regional Secretary, with a cheque for £4,000.
Legion D’honneur For Ksli Normandy Veteran
When Reg Steventon arrived at a local restaurant for the monthly gathering of the Shrewsbury Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club (AFVBC) he had no idea of what awaited him. The bugle fanfare at the door might have aroused his suspicions, but it was not until he got inside that he saw the large group of family, friends and civic dignitaries who had gathered, champagne in hand, to greet him. Unbeknown to Reg, who landed in Normandy with 2 KSLI on D Day, his colleagues at the Shrewsbury AFVBC had arranged the presentation of the medal of the Legion of Honour. This high honour has recently been bestowed by the French government on veterans who liberated France in the summer of 1944 and, after a few words about Reg’s own contribution to the Liberation, and the playing of French and British national anthems by a military band, the medal was pinned to Reg’s chest by Monsieur Robert Mille, the French Honorary Consul. Also taking part were the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jane Mackenzie, the Shrewsbury Town Crier, Mr Martin Wood, the Ri es Regional Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Trelawny and the founder of the Shrewsbury AFVBC, Ms Amanda Cundall.
Following the presentation, Reg and his family joined all the other guests for a meal and some recollections of Normandy and the actions of 2 KSLI from there into Holland and Germany.
Veterans of any age or cap badge will be made very welcome at the regular meetings of the Shrewsbury AFVBC, and details can be found on the website at www.shrewsburyafvbc.co.uk
Reg Steventon wearing the Legion d’Honneur and his other medals
UNBEKNOWN TO REG, HIS COLLEAGUES AT THE SHREWSBURY AFVBC HAD ARRANGED THE PRESENTATION OF THE MEDAL OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR
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