Page 56 - Bugle Spring 2025

NORTH
NEWS FROM YORKSHIRE
A KOYLI’S RETURN TO YORKSHIRE ON MINDEN DAY
Our Minden Day celebrations on 1st August
were multifaceted. The celebrations in
Doncaster started with The KOYLI Medal
Room and Research Centre being officially
opened at the City of Doncaster Archives on
Chequer Road. The ribbon-cutting ceremony
was performed by the Elected Mayor of
Doncaster, Ros Jones.
Following the opening, the Association’s
annual wreath-laying service led by Rev.
Andrew Martlew, in the presence of the Lord
Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Dame Hilary
Chapman, civic dignitaries, former KOYLI
Officers and Soldiers took place in front of the
KOYLI Memorial statue in Doncaster. Among
the attendees was Chelsea Pensioner Phil
Watkins, the only KOYLI In-Patient at The
Royal Hospital Chelsea. During the lunch
Phil reunited with old comrades after several
decades.
We also welcomed Mrs Jo Jackson-Wyatt
the new RIFLES Regional Secretary (North)
appointed to the post on the retirement of
Captain (Retired) Bob Roberts.
Minden Day reunion for
former KOYLIs Ronnie Barrow
Phil Watkins and Russ Snood.
Support to a local Primary School to honour a 104-year- old Normandy Veteran
Association Secretary and Cadet Force adult volunteer, BSM
Cranswick, joined Y Coy 8 RIFLES REMSO Serjeant Bates MBE, and
Rifleman Riley for a special assembly at Normanton Common Primary
Academy to say a special thanks to Sergeant Godfrey Brooks, RE, who
celebrated his 105th birthday. Councillor Josie Pritchard (Wakefield
Armed Forces Champion) organised the event and invited the team
from 8 RIFLES and the Association.
The children asked Godfrey questions about his service,
whilst Matty and Rifleman Riley talked to the children about the
army of today and were told stories of Colin’s mum, who was a
prisoner of war.
The school wrote ‘What a wonderful afternoon we had
celebrating our armed forces, an experience our children will
remember for a long time to come!’
Minden House Buglers
Hectic Remembrance period for
Association Standard Bearers and Buglers
With five Freedom Towns in our footprint
members of the Association, in particular
and numerous communities and civic
the public face of the Association our
Festivals of Remembrance in the week
Standard Bearers and Buglers from
and days before Remembrance Sunday,
Minden House Buglers.
year on year the Remembrance period
Our Standard Bearers supported
has become exceptionally busy for
nine community Remembrance
events, including a local school with a
105-year-old Veteran Royal Engineer, an
appearance on local television news, and
six Remembrance Sunday parades. The
Minden House Buglers sounded at 12
Remembrance events across Yorkshire.
Retired Light Infantry officer Peter
Wright represented the Association and
handed over a KOYLI wreath during the
march past at the Remembrance Sunday
parade on Whitehall.
The Association wouldn’t have
the reputation it has within our local
authorities and communities. You have our
thanks for your commitment.
Normanton Academy
Remembrance event. L-R Band
Serjeant Major Colin Cranswick,
Rifleman Riley, Councillor Josie
Pritchard, Serjeant Matty Bates.
Front - Normandy Veteran Godfrey
Brooks, Royal Engineers
56 RIFLES The Bugle