Page 9 - Devon and Dorset 2024

THE DEVONSHIRE AND DORSET REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER 7
and Hampshires landed on GOLD beach on 6th
June 1944, was a moving experience. In brilliant
sunshine our group was welcomed by the Mayor
in a short ceremony before moving to the town
hall to view the stained glass window presented
many years before by stretcher bearer Denis
Bounsall DCM. Despite the years, the heroism and
sacrifice of the men in 231 Bde units is held in the
highest esteem and with enormous gratitude by
the local community.
The memorial to 43 Wessex Division on Hill
112, Pegasus Bridge, Ranville Battery and the
British Normandy memorial were also visited. All
locations were highly impressive.
The Regimental Reunion took place in Exeter
on 18th May starting with the AGM in St George’s
Hall/Corn Exchange. Items discussed included
past and future events, the new website, the
importance of our relationship with the Rifles,
an explanation of our funds by our President and
an update on our Regimental memorial at the
National Memorial Arboretum. This was followed
by a short Drum Head Service in front of Exeter
Cathedral and a social event in St George’s Hall/
Corn Exchange. Unfortunately, a major power
outage across much of Exeter in the afternoon
shortened activities. Having reviewed attendance,
suitability of the venue and members’ comments,
the Association committee are seeking a more
attractive and appropriate venue and programme
for the next Reunion which will take place in
Exeter on 17th May 2025 as agreed at the AGM.
Throughout the year, Association members
have attended monthly commemorative events
in Sherborne Abbey and Exeter Cathedral with
selected names of the fallen read out. These
events are open to all, have gained momentum
and are now well attended.
The opening of the Rifles Garden
and reaffirmation of the Freedom of
the Borough of Torquay for 6 Rifles
on 27th July was supported by
Association members and standards.
Social events have included
the ‘Jolly Boys’ Outing’ on 20th
and 21st September in Exeter and
the ‘Semper Fidelis Dining Club’
dinner on 19th October in Torquay
as well as regular Association
Branch social gatherings in Exeter
and Plymouth, a competitive golf
competition at Honiton Golf Club on
15th September and an enjoyable
fishing competition at Goodiford
Mill on 28th and 29th September. A
little known but important annual
event is the Glumsø Bridge Dinner
which takes place annually, this
Pegasus Bridge
year on 8th November, in the Poundbury Army
Reserve Centre in Dorchester to celebrate C Coy 1
WESSEX’s outstanding performance in defending
a key point during a test exercise in
Denmark. The evening brings together
many old friends and is marked by quite
a lot of akvavit, horned helmets and
flying candle wax!
As the year came to a close,
members have attended national and
local Remembrance events, again
including the Westminster Abbey Field
of Remembrance and the Cenotaph
Parade in London, and have been well
represented in both Counties and more
widely. Many thanks to those who
paraded and to all those who helped
selling poppies to raise funds for the
RBL, in particular the Exeter Branch
members who, with others, raised the
astonishing amount of over £24,000 in
donations at Tesco in Exeter.
Although largely unknown for reasons
of confidentiality, many members of the
Devonshire and Dorset Regimental
Association needing assistance have
been amongst the 500+ veterans who
have continued to benefit from the Rifles
Benevolent Trust in 2024 and we remain
extremely grateful for this essential
support. This ranges from small one-
off amounts for short term immediate
needs to much larger sums for medical
and other reasons, often for extended
periods.
Our impressive and much-admired
Regimental Memorial at the National Memorial
Arboretum, Alrewas is a valued and important
part of our heritage. The Regimental Trustees
and Association Committee are
grateful to members who have
alerted us to the condition of the
The evening is
marked by quite
a lot of akvavit,
horned helmets
and flying
candle wax!
slabs which have deteriorated
due largely to environmental
factors. Representations have
been made to the RBL site
managers and to Phoenix
Marble and Stone who installed
the memorial. Due to severe
adverse weather conditions over
the late summer and autumn
period, Phoenix were unable to meet the deadline
of 30th November for completion of repairs and
their Managing Director has offered his apologies.
Whilst the new slabs have been cut to size and
are in their workshop, it is unwise to install them
until the spring when the threat of a high water
table and freezing temperatures are unlikely. It is
hoped that this work will be completed by the end
of April. The main structure of the memorial will
also be re-examined to determine if the hairline
cracks on the plinth and panels are not structural
but blemishes.
I finish this year’s report by thanking the
Regimental Trustees, Association Secretary Tony
Cox, Regimental Co-ordinator/Secretary Carole
Arnold, all Association committee members,
‘Janner’ Editor Mick Jarrett, all Branch and Focal
Point Secretaries and all Standard Bearers for
all they do in organising and supporting our
Association and members.
SEMPER FIDELIS