Page 264 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

The Telford Branch of the Light Infantry &
Ri es Regimental Association
Plymouth Trip June 2016. Over the weekend hotel looked after us extremely well and the trip
DESPITE THE AGE OF OUR GROUP WE STILL MARCHED OFF PARADE AT REGIMENTAL PACE
24th-26th June 48 members and Ladies from the Telford Branch together with members from Shrewsbury and Oswestry Branches travelled to Plymouth for Armed Forces weekend. We stayed at the New Continental Hotel who provided us with a function room and buffet so that we could meet up with ex LI people living in Plymouth and it was great to see Colin Prideaux, Don & Marie Foster and Bob Charters to name just a few.
On the Saturday morning we travelled to Bodmin to visit the LI Museum. There we met up with Colonel Rupert Nicholas. It was only a short visit however, as we had to get back to parade with the Ri es Band and Marching contingent on the Hoe on Plymouth Front. Despite the age of our group we still marched off parade at Regimental Pace and great credit goes to Pop Robertson who shouldered his walking stick and marched. The
was enjoyed by all.
During the last twelve months we have also had
a very successful Summer Ball which was held at the Park Inn. The branch attended the Telford Remembrance parade.
Once again we had a great Christmas Draw at the British Legion in Telford.
At the March Meeting the following were elected to the Branch Committee:
Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Welfare:
Mr Maurice Halliday Mr Conrad Myatt
Mr Donald Budge
Mr Michael Jennings.
Unfortunately we have lost a few old comrades, they are Pete Frost, George Middle, Albert Hendy and Tom Embury. May they always be remem- bered.
Obituaries
LODING. Lieutenant Colonel Paul Loding, involving the 53rd during the campaign leading up to
Commanding The 53rd Regiment of Foot in America, died in Hudson Falls, USA on 10 November 2016.
Paul Loding and his American colleagues maintained scrupulously accurate records of the 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment’s campaign against the American revolutionaries during their war of Independence 1775-1783. Their exhaustive historical study of that campaign yielded valuable archive material and artefacts for the KSLI Regimental Museum collection in Shrewsbury. Paul Loding and his Second-in-Command, Lieutenant John Mead, were most welcome guests on at least two visits to the Shropshire Regimental Museum in the 1990s.
The 53rd Regiment of Foot in America specialised in meticulously researched re-enactment of actions
the major defeat of the British at Saratoga in 1777. On 18 September 1999 the then Regimental County Secretary, on behalf of the Colonel of the Regiment, presented the 53rd Regiment of Foot in America with a new Colour at an unforgettably impressive parade in Fort Ticonderoga. The parade, commanded by Paul Loding, was a masterpiece of late 18th Century uniforms, drill movements and
military music.
Paul was an altogether larger-than-life character
who was rarely seen out of resplendent period uniform. We extend our sincere condolences to those remaining members of the 53rd Regiment of Foot in America, in the hope that they will continue their valuable historical work following the demise of their admirable Commanding Of cer.
PAUL WAS AN ALTOGETHER LARGER-THAN-LIFE CHARACTER WHO WAS RARELY SEEN OUT OF RESPLENDENT PERIOD UNIFORM.
262 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS THE RIFLES