Page 135 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Company Adventure Training Exercise
On what was a busy weekend in the Battalion forecast, with members of the company on a Bowman basic radio cadre and with the Minden Cup orienteering
bike instructor they had a full afternoon of black and red courses in the forest, completing the day with no broken bikes and more importantly no broken bones..
McKenzie, whose thoughts on the descent were an inspiration for the rest of the group.
Both the activity groups, on return to Spadeadam discovered the Midges had cleared enough to allow an excellent Company smoker, superbly prepared by Sgt Johnson. This followed by the group debriefs in the bar of that day’s activities.
On Sunday morning the Company topped off the weekend with a scenic trek along part of Hadrian’s Wall. This was enhanced with an interesting Roman History lesson led by Cpl Arnott, (the oldest soldier in the Company), reliving his basic training and an operational
tour, AKA life at Sycamore gap and Housesteads Fort.....
WO2 D Thompson, Coy 2IC
Members of D (RIFLES) Company on the summit of Hellvellyn
competition, the Company headed up to Cumbria and accommodation at RAF Spadeadam.
...completing the day with no broken bikes and more importantly no broken bones
Meanwhile back to Cumbria, under the control of Cpl Donnison and Cpl Arnott the remainder of the Coy embarked from Spadeadam
to Glenridding. Under near perfect
Early on Saturday
morning Sjt Coxon
and his eager team
of ten orienteering volunteers headed back down to County Durham and Hamsterley forest, where they took
part in the Minden Cup orienteering competition, on completion of the event, under the supervision of a mountain
conditions the group ascended Hellvellyn following an anti- clockwise route. After lunch and some amazing views from
the summit, the group’s descent was
the down the spectacular Striding Edge, much to the enjoyment of Sjt (Reggie)
Light Infantry Reunion Shrewsbury
This year’s Reunion was attended by over 3,000 veterans and D (Rifles) Company Bugle Section was invited to take part in the parade. The Association buglers from the 70s/80s /90s and 2000s all ex Regulars, including 4 ex Bugle Majors and the D Company Buglers Joined a small band in the Marquee on the Saturday morning and played high on a hill with solos by Paul Goose Ex Light Infantry and B.M. Suggett which ended in a standing ovation by the onlookers.
All association buglers and D Company Bugle Section then joined the Regular Band and Bugles on the square as veterans of the old county regiments and veterans of 1, 2 and 3rd Light Infantry were inspected by Lt Gen Brims.
The Band and Bugles played all of the old county Regimental Marches as they marched past the dais for the last time in the Barracks, followed by the Regimental March of the Light Infantry as they led the parade off the square.
Once the march past had taken place
the veterans took their seats to watch the retreat. D Company Bugle Section took their place at the top of the parade square and the Veteran buglers at the bottom. Once the Band and Bugles were prepared to march on, Rifles Assembly fanfare was echoed by the Veterans, D Company Buglers and the Band and Bugles round the square followed by the Advance. This was then followed by Sounding the Retreat.
Once the retreat was finished the veteran buglers as a final tribute played a medley
of fanfares followed by “No more parades” which was a fitting end to the procedures. A final photo on the square of the old and
D (RIFLES) Coy Bugle Section on parade at Shrewsbury
bold buglers from all years was taken and then the festivities continued and many bottles of port were emptied.
Rfn G Suggett,
Bugle Major D (Rifles) Company
Summary
The past 12 months has seen D (Rifles) Company contribute to some very worthwhile joint training events with 3 RIFLES, continue to provide soldiers for operations in Afghanistan and set the conditions to be successful in the recruiting environment. The challenge is now to sustain this effort over the coming months and years, achieving and then maintaining full manning.
THE RIFLES
D COMPANY 133