Page 69 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

MIDLANDS
Alfred Wilcox VC Commemoration
The anniversary of the award in September 1918 of the Victoria Cross to LCpl Alfred Wilcox of 2/4th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was again commemorated at Aston Church in Birmingham. LCpl Wilcox lived until 1954, but after his death the whereabouts of his grave were lost until 2006, when a memorial was unveiled. The service was led this year by Rev Giyanow Kayle of Aston Church, and the senior RIFLES representative was Brigadier Robin Draper, supported by buglers and representatives of 8 RIFLES.
Service at the Memorial
Amongst the hardy swimmers who plunged into a chilly lake at Ellesmere at the start of Autumn 2021 was Lt Col (Retd) Ian Sawers. His one-mile swim raised over £2500 for the League of Friends of the Orthopaedic Hospital at Oswestry. As reported in
the last Bugle,
the hospital has recently opened
a new facility for Armed Forces veterans in need of orthopaedic treatment, and Ian Sawers has been instrumental in this initiative. Riflemen supporting from the lakeside included Ian’s son Harry Sawers and Andrew Trelawny from the Midlands Office.
Ian Sawers at start
BALLYGAWLEY MEMORIAL
The memorial in The Quarry, Shrewsbury, to the eight 1LI soldiers killed in the Ballygawley bus bombing in 1988 was the scene of an anniversary commemoration in August 2021. It was organized by Bob Diprose with
the support of the 1LI Association, and was attended by survivors, family members and comrades, with buglers and standard bearers on parade. A short service preceded the “Last Post”, after which flowers and wreaths were laid.
Buglers at the Memorial
Standard Bearers on parade
RIFLES The Bugle 69
VETERANS CHARITY SWIM