Page 69 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

LONDON
The Memorial at Calais
MEMORIAL TRIP TO CALAIS
To commemorate the Battle of Calais, when antecedent regiments of The Rifles fought against General Heinz Guderian’s XIX Panzer Corps to protect the British Expeditionary Force’s retreat and evacuation from Dunkirk, a contingent of KRRC, Queen Victoria’s Rifles, RB and Royal Green Jacket veterans travelled to France to remember the action.
The battle raged over four days and saw the loss of 300 troops (200 of which were Green Jackets), with 700 wounded. Those who survived and were captured were sent to Prisoner of War camps, where many spent the next five years.
The pilgrimage and lunch are organised each year by Richard Frost MBE, Charman & Hon Sec of The King’s Royal Rifle Corps Association. This year The Rifles marked the action by sending
a Padre and buglers to support a coach load
of veterans to honour the occasion. After an
Cuneo Painting Presentation
excellent lunch, where Major-Gen Charles Vyvyan CB CBE presented a Terence Cuneo print of the battle to Antoine Ravisse the Hon Consul of Calais after which everyone moved to the memorial at the harbour for the service.
The Rev’d Matthew Dietz CF, Padre, 5 RIFLES led an impressive service delivered in English and perfect French (much to the admiration of
our hosts) alongside the Mayoress of Calais, before retiring to Calais South Cemetery where many of casualties were laid to rest, prayers were said, and buglers
sounded Last Post.
General Vyvyan, the Mayoress of Calais and Lt Col Mike Robertson MC with RIFLES Buglers
5 RIFLES Padre and Veterans Pay Hommage at the British War Graves Cemetry, Calais
RIFLES The Bugle 69