Page 218 - Bugle Autumn 2014

The Rifles Office Salisbury
Work strands in Berkshire and Wiltshire remain varied and interesting. The past year has seen the Salisbury Office play host
to fascinating visitors, plan and execute high visibility events from the 4RIFLES Homecoming parades, The Rifles involvement in the Normandy 70 Anniversary commemorations and annual Reunions and social events, provide support for a Royal Berkshire Regiment Battlefield Tour to Brandywine, USA and Wiltshire Regimental participation in the 70th Commemoration of the battle for Hill
112, support to various World War 1 commemoration activities in Reading and Tidworth whilst positioning itself for a re-subordination back into the RIFLES South West region. Nothing out of the ordinary there then .....
The County Office and RIFLES Wardrobe Museum hosted, also, an Op TORAL families brief on 19th June delivered by 2RIFLES.
It was a fascinating occasion as the Op HERRICK combat roles previously briefed was replaced by location and role changes underlining new challenges.
REUNIONS
Devizes
1st June
Following the bells and whistles
of the Freedom Parade in 2013,
this year’s WILTS Reunion was a quieter
affair. Gone was the march through the Town
– diminishing numbers and no available Bands persuaded the Committee to forgo the parade. The Service in St John’s Church now launches the Reunion and the assembled Old Comrades are supported by the Church Choir whose singing quality is much appreciated. In the absence of the Venerable Alan Jeans, Archdeacon of Sarum and the Association Padre who was attending the General Synod in York, the Service was led by the Reverend Captain Gary Birch Chaplain to 6RIFLES.
However the general movement from the Market Square to Church reaped a significant benefit: long lost Arthur Tatem, ex 1DERR, visiting from Bermuda whence he moved on leaving the Army just happened to be in Devizes ‘on spec’ and bumping into many old friends was carried along into both Church and Lunch. His personal details have now been updated and are held by the Salisbury Office.
Following the Service 55 Old Comrades and their wives and Guests repaired to the Town Hall for an excellent lunch provided by Annie, a hot carvery much enjoyed by all present.
Salisbury Reunion Weekend
12th / 13th July
The RIFLES Office hosted the RGBW Salisbury Reunion weekend on 12th / 13th July.
On the Saturday, 87 members attended the RGBW Officers’ Club Lunch in the Wardrobe Garden and 68 members and guests attended the Association Dinner & Dance held at the South Wilts Golf Club.
On Sunday morning, the Drumhead Service was led by the Reverend Cannon David Linaker, Priest of St Thomas’ Church Salisbury who stood in for the Association Padre, the Venerable Alan Jeans, Archdeacon of Sarum who was attending the General Synod in York. General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue KCB CBE read the Lesson. Five Standards were laid on the Drums and wreaths to all RGBW Forming Regiments were laid by Colonel Mike Cornwell OBE, Captain Dave Wiggins, Major Mike Gibson MBE, Mr Les Devine and Mr Fred Ford.
49 Old Comrades, commanded by Major General Robin Grist CB OBE, then marched around Chorister’s Green behind the Shrewton Silver Band to the “Farmer’s Boy” –
the hope that the “Dashing White Sergeant” and “The Vly” would also be played could not happen unless the parade marched three times round the Green! General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue KCB CBE took the salute with the Chairman, Colonel Stephen Oxlade MBE and Canon David Linaker also on the dais. 146 Old Comrades, wives and Guests then sat down to a truly appreciated buffet lunch during which the past Secretary of the Reading Branch, Dave Smith, was presented with his President of the Association’s Certificate for Outstanding Service at lunch by General Sir Kevin.
RGBW Officers marching at the Cenotaph Remembrance Sunday 2013. LtoR Capt Jeremy Tozer, Maj Tony Skidmore, Capt John Biggs, Maj Steve Bowkett and Brig Patrick Davidson-Houston CBE
Visitors
In October, WO1 (Adjutant) Geert Jonkers and WO2 (SMI) Patric van Aalderen of the Recovery and Identification Unit (RIU) of the Royal Netherlands Army (RNl(A) called on the Salisbury Office following a Forensic Archaeology Course in Warminster. They represent a unit responsible for forensic identification of the remains of soldiers found on World War 2 battle sites and which has been responsible for identifying, specifically, soldiers 4th & 5th WILTS including Pte Lee Curtis (article BUGLE Edn 9). Equating to, their unit was established in 1945 and, combining forensic archaeology, physical anthropology, odontology and military history with modern techniques of DNA and isotope testing, 3-dimensional facial reconstruction, today works
on an average of 35 Cold Cases each year. It was working closely with the British Army’s JCCC, the British Embassy in The Hague and most importantly, with The Rifles Wardrobe Museum Archivist that has allowed them to identify three of the 8 x WILTS MIA from actions around Arnhem in 1945. It was very good and deeply informative to finally meet Geert Jonkers and the Salisbury Office was delighted that a senior hosting team of The Rifles Wiltshire County Colonel, Mike Cornwell, and RIFLES County Secretary, Tim Lerwill, with Mac MacIntyre, ex DERR, and Museum Archivist, Chris Bacon, were available to host them.
At the time of writing it is understood that Geert Jonkers and his unit are involved in supporting the Dutch effort following the shooting down of the Malaysian airliner over Ukraine.
216 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEWS
THE RIFLES