Page 71 - Bugle Spring 2023

LONDON
RIFLES The Bugle 71
Rifles veterans & serving Riflemen on the left
Cenotaph, London
In true form, The Rifles contingent mustered in light order at a discreet RV close to the venue, with all veteran and serving Riflemen in fine fettle and raring to go! This was my first London attendance, and I was impressed by how it all worked seamlessly on the day, given the thousands of veterans on parade. It was obvious there was a huge amount of
respect shown to
the veterans and HM
Armed Forces by the
general public, who
also turned out in
their thousands to
pay tribute. This year
we also welcomed
a guest from the US
Infantry, who had
served alongside The
Rifles in Afghanistan.
Rifles veteran & serving Riflemen
Left to right: Bill Mathieson 3RGJ (64–70), Tony Bendry 2RGJ (63–72), Phil Watkins KOYLI (66–72), Harry Rawlins RB & KRRC WW2 veteran, aged 97, Joe Shortall 2RGJ (74-90) & Pat Cody KRRC (54–66)
ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA, LONDON
Today I had the privilege to meet and have lunch with a number of Chelsea Pensioners from RIFLES’ antecedent regiments. Regrettably, three veterans were in the infirmary (Alfred Mason DLI, Arthur Teasedale DLI and Trevor Potter RGJ) but the other six veterans were in good form and looked very well cared for in the immaculate and historical Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Tony Morell Rifles Assistant Regimental Secretary (Associations & Wellbeing)
Left to right: Harry Rawlins, Joe Shortall, Tony Bendry, Pat Cody & Phil Watkins