Page 68 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

MIDLANDS
MIDLANDS OFFICE NOTES
Another year, another cancelled
Light Infantry and Rifles Reunion and continuing restrictions on the activities of cadets, veterans, and our local communities. However, a light is shining, albeit dimly, at the end of the tunnel, and the last quarter of 2021 saw a gradual return to some sort of normality.
Our Army Cadet Forces (Shropshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands (South) and Merseyside) held limited annual camps in the summer, for which RIFLES support was not needed. We do expect the need for support to grow in 2022 and we remain in close contact with 2 RIFLES and 8 RIFLES, from which the Riflemen to run ranges, teach fieldcraft and supervise Adventurous and Physical Training will come.
The KSLI/LI/RGJ/RIFLES Association Branches in Shrewsbury, Telford, Oswestry, Cannock, Birmingham and Merseyside have begun to meet again and, although Christmas events were still limited in
size, the preparation for the spring and summer has already started. The Light Infantry and Rifles Reunion, due to be held in Shrewsbury in June 2021, was, again, cancelled well in advance, and, perhaps as a result, the indications are that the 2022 Reunion (Saturday 18th June) will be particularly well-attended.
Supporting the welfare of veterans, young and old, and their families, remains the most important task of the Regional Offices, and throughout 2021
we have worked closely with the Rifles Benevolent Trust, other military charities and, most recently, The Always A Rifleman Programme, to tackle the many and complex issues affecting our Riflemen.
A new database, coming into use at the end of 2021, will enable us to keep a better watch on those who have settled in the
68 RIFLES The Bugle
Midlands Region at the end of their service. The Rifles Office (Midlands) remains
grateful for the support of 2 RIFLES,
E Coy 8 RIFLES in Shrewsbury and Birmingham, the County Colonels (Lt Col Nick Jenkins in Shropshire, Col Marius Coulon in Birmingham, Lt Col Sean McEvoy in Merseyside and Lt Col Damian Griffin in Coventry), the Light Infantry and Rifles Association branches in Shropshire, the RGJ Association branches in Birmingham and Merseyside, and the Buglers Association. We very much look forward to renewing full contact with our regulars, reservists, cadets, veterans and communities in 2022.
Ray Mead, marched at the head of twenty veterans and family members
Parading the Standard
Korean War veterans swapping stories
Presentation of Korean
Veterans’ Standard to the
Soldiers of Shropshire Museum
Following the winding-up of the Shropshire Branch of the British Korean War Veterans, it was decided by the members that the branch’s standard should be presented to the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum. In a ceremony at Shrewsbury Castle, the branch standard- bearer, Ray Mead, marched at the head of twenty veterans and family members and, under the watchful eye of HM Lord Lieutenant for Shropshire, Anna Turner, presented the standard to the Director of the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum, Richard Gough.
The veterans present included several members of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and the Durham Light Infantry, both of which fought with distinction in Korea. General Sir Peter de la Billiere, who joined the KSLI and then served with the DLI in Korea, enjoyed the
opportunity to chat to fellow veterans during a reception hosted by the Lord Lieutenant and the Museum Trustees
in the Castle’s Circular Room afterwards.
The standard will be added to the Korean War display
in the Museum, which has just been enhanced to mark the 70th anniversary of the conflict.