Page 197 - Bugle Autumn 2014

popular part of the day – bar opening and buffet!
Back in 2011 the Freedom of Bridport was granted to the Regiment but at the time, due to operational commitments, it had not been possible to exercise
the freedom with a parade. This was corrected in June when members of 1 RIFLES, 6 RIFLES, Dorset ACF and the Devon and Dorset Regimental Association marched proudly through the town. The
1 RIFLES guard had clearly found time in their busy schedule to conduct some practice because their turnout and drill were of a noticeably
high standard. Some
observers suggested
it was because the
parade commander
(Major Jamie Edwards)
knew that his parents
were present, while
the more cynical
commented that he wanted to impress Brigadier Rupert Jones, the senior regimental officer. But come what may, the spectacle and precision of light drill, when conducted well, takes some beating and it went down very well with the considerable number of spectators. Those spectators proved their generosity later, because the collection during the subsequent service
in St Mary’s, in support of C4C, was one of the largest recorded in the church’s recent history. Later there was a Sounding Retreat by the combined Salamanca
and Waterloo Bands who produced an outstanding performance. Given the hot, sunny weather, they certainly earned a drink at the reception afterwards. Once the official reception was over, a number of Riflemen
The Parade presents arms for the General Salute
the spectacle and precision of light drill, when conducted well, takes some beating
mysteriously found their
way to a local hostelry where they made a favourable impression.
In the words of an Association member “I was deeply impressed by their behaviour and the obvious bond between all ranks. There have been many times when I have been proud to be a Devon and Dorset and now I’m proud to be a member of The Rifles.”
In July a parade was held at Mere
in Wiltshire to commemorate the 70th anniversary of 43rd (Wessex) Division’s campaign in Normandy. This parade and service has been conducted every year since the memorial was built after WW2. On the hill above the town, beside the A303, stands a memorial to the Division which matches one standing on Hill 112 in Normandy, scene of so much bitter
fighting in 1944 where, by no coincidence, a similar Service of Remembrance was being held at the same time. The Division included a number of Regiments which have subsequently, through amalgamations, become The Rifles. It had been decided that the 70th Anniversary parade should
be the last before numbers of participants began to decline significantly. So it was that a remarkable 27 Association Standards were on parade along with impressive guards from veterans, Dorset Army Cadet Force and some Riflemen, all led by the Gillingham Imperial Silver Band. General Sir John Wilsey, whose father was a Dorset, took the salute and guest of honour was Mr Cliff Lloyd, who had fought at Hill 112. Tea and cakes provided by the ladies of the Gillingham Branch were a most fitting way to end this traditional West County event.
The Service of Remembrance at Mere
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEWS 195