Page 75 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

A view of the museum’s summer exhibition ‘Concrete Castles’
SOUTH WEST
A BUSY YEAR AT BODMIN KEEP
During 2021 Bodmin Keep once again faced further reinforced closure until mid-May but the museum team were kept busy with digital and community work including
3D scanning of uniforms in the museum collection, online sessions for care homes, and the distribution of creative activity packs via the local food bank.
The museum worked in partnership with the Imperial War Museum throughout 2021
on a project researching the Second World War, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project enabled the museum to appoint a digital intern, Charlotte Marchant, who produced a new gallery and film about the history of the barracks.
The museum’s Trainee
Curator Isabella Hogan also
created a new permanent
display about the Siege of
Lucknow, showcasing the
museum’s superb collection.
A major new temporary art
exhibition, ‘Concrete Castles’
was also mounted, bringing
together works by over 30
contemporary artists on the
unusual theme of Second
World War pillboxes and fortifications. The school summer holidays were busy, with strong visitor numbers and family activities on offer daily.
The Devon and Dorset Regimental Reunion was able to take place on September 18th,
a postponement from earlier in the year.
On the day, 2021 saw the largest turn-out
for both the march and the Reunion that
we have seen for many years, with many Old Comrades enjoying the honour and privilege of marching through the city accompanied by the Salamanca Band of the Rifles, reinforced by members of our former Regimental Band. It was a truly uplifting experience to march past Exeter’s Guildhall to the sound of our Regimental march,
and one which brought back many happy memories of the Regiment exercising the Freedom of the City many years ago.
We were honoured to have Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Ridgeway KBE, CB, KStJ representing the Devonshire Lieutenancy, the Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Trish Oliver, the Rifles Regimental Secretary Lt Col Peter Balls and the Rifles Secretary SW Major Rory McCaffrey as our honoured guests.
We are grateful to our Regimental Secretary Carole Arnold and our Association Secretary Tony Cox for the time and effort they have put in to looking after our welfare
In September the museum was the backdrop for the finishing line of the Tour of Britain cycling race which brought thousands of people to Bodmin. Whilst in November the museum was delighted to welcome General Sir Peter de la Billière who was given a tour of the museum. The museum has a display dedicated to him, including a copy of an imposing portrait by David Poole.
cases and maintaining communications during this difficult year. We are also
grateful to the Welfare Office in RHQ Rifles in Winchester for the considerable support that has been provided.
As TRA establishes itself, the Devonshire and Dorset Regimental Association wishes
all Riflemen either serving or retired to know that they are most welcome to attend Branch meetings and take part in Association activity. Please contact our Association Office for more details: danddsec@hotmail.com or dandassnsec@outlook.com
Normandy Memorial Bench
The stunning Normandy Memorial has now been completed and the bench donated and designed by
the Devonshire and Dorset and Royal Hampshire Regiments sits proudly overlooking Gold Beach. The Memorial is situated near the town of Ver-sur-Mer and looks out across the beach and towards the remains of the wartime Mulberry Harbour off Arromanches.
It was erected as stated on the plaque ‘in proud memory of all
ranks of the Devonshire Regiment, The Hampshire Regiment and the Dorsetshire Regiment’ who fought in Normandy in the Summer of 1944 and began the liberation of Continental Europe, and is a fitting tribute to all those who served.
General Sir Peter de la Billière in front of his portrait
We are also grateful to the Welfare Office
in RHQ Rifles in Winchester
Normandy Memorial Bench overlooking Gold Beach
Graham Gilley from Exeter leading the Standards at the Devonshire & Dorset Association Reunion
Brigadier Richard Toomey with No 1 Guard
RIFLES The Bugle 75
THE DEVONSHIRE & DORSET REGIMENTAL REUNION 2021