Page 228 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Light Infantry & Rifles Association Annual Reunion 2014
The 2014 Reunion was to be my first as Co-ordinator and the last
to be held at Copthorne Barracks – no pressure then! The previous year’s Reunion, and the last one to be organised by Lt Col Ron Bevan, had been a huge success with a record attendance. But
this was going to be the last one ever at the Barracks, considered
by most Light Infantrymen to be their spiritual home, so it had to be better than last year’s surely? So - OK, just a little bit of pressure then!
Heather had ordered 2,000 day tickets and they soon went,
as did the next 500 she ordered. It was now too late to get more printed so Heather resorted to the good old photocopier for the next batch. Altogether close to 3,000 tickets were issued and it became apparent that the beer tent, together with the equipment were not going to be enough. Phone calls were made!
The weather during the few weeks leading up to the Reunion was not particularly good. The state of the sports field was soon put
to the test when the tentage was delivered. Unfortunately it failed and one of the flat beds had to be recovered with a small tractor.
It wouldn’t be the last vehicle to get bogged down during the preparations. This was not a good omen.
The LI Association Bugles
stopped many from attending and there were probably very nearly 3,000 members and families in the barracks for the last time. The Association All Ranks Dinner carried on with the fun, particularly singing the county songs. Lt Col Ian Sawers was, as usual, the star of the night and helped to sing all of the songs with correct accents (although not necessarily with the correct song!).
The Thursday and Friday, however, were both dry and bright and the field was beginning to firm up; perhaps we would be lucky after all. Saturday’s weather forecast was abysmal with thunder storms promised country wide. Hurried emails to the Band produced a wet weather programme, which was simply to cancel the parade and for the Band to play in the marquee in lieu of the Retreat – not good!
Lt Col Ian Sawers was, as usual, the star of the night and helped to sing all of the songs
There were a few notable ‘firsts’. Lt Col Dougie Dee, a Reserve Army officer was the Parade Commander for the first time. There was also a Light Infantry Volunteer contingent on parade for the first time, although it was made up entirely of ex 5LI members. Well
done 5LI, but you’ve now set a precedent
and can’t let the team down by not marching again in future reunions. And let’s not forget the
Friday night came and was a great success, the enlarged beer tent was well used and the pleasant evening saw large crowds sitting outside, enjoying the sunshine and getting into the mood. But regular weather checks didn’t change the forecast for Saturday, which remained unpromising.
The morning came bright and cheerful, but just after 8am that started to change with very loud thunder almost overhead, followed shortly by a torrential downpour. By now people were starting
to arrive and there was simply no way that we could let vehicles onto the sports field. A ‘Plan B’ had to be formulated quickly. Cars would have to be parked on the square and every yard of available tarmac. The Riflemen from the RSTs, together with the local cadets, were briefed and between them did an excellent job of parking
cars everywhere except the sports field. I don’t think there was
any spare tarmac around the square by the time they had finished. Consultations with the Band throughout the day came up with several options whilst the rain continued to fall. A forecasted break in the weather around 2pm came good and the Veteran’s Parade and Sounding Retreat was able to go ahead as normal, and finished just before the rain returned.
Altogether the day was a resounding success. The rain had not
Shropshire Regimental Museum
It is an exciting time for regimental museums across the country as we are now at the beginning of a four-year commemoration
of Britain’s involvement in the First World War. We launched our commemorative events programme on July 26th by hosting a charity military concert in the castle grounds – the first event of its kind in recent years.
Association Buglers, a small, but growing group of ex LI Buglers who have come together to play when and where requested. They played magnificently with the Band and Bugles and marched on at the end to play ‘No more Parades today’, a fitting end to the last LI parade at the barracks.
Decca Winter was once again the Reunion photographer, but this year with a new toy. His aerial camera caused a stir when it first flew over the parade and the high definition movies it has taken are excellent.
I would like to thank everyone that helped make the event so enjoyable, from the RST to the Camp staff, who all gave up their time willingly, too many to mention individually. A special thanks to the real organiser behind the scenes – Heather Morgan, without whose help and skills the Reunion would have been so much harder to organise. What is remarkable is that she does all of this as well as her day job.
And finally, a ‘plug’ for next year’s Reunion at its new venue of the ProStar Football Stadium in Shrewsbury on the 5/6th June. We’re all sad to be losing Copthorne Barracks, but losing it we are, and
a new venue had to be found. And anyway the Reunion isn’t really about the place, it’s about the people. See you all next year.
Ron Gittings, Reunion Co-ordinator
of the event we are hoping to run it again next year.
This winter we are planning to roll out a more regular events
programme and lecture series that will run throughout the year, details of which will be posted to our website and sent out to our Friends network. In February, with the help of The Rifles
The Concert in the Castle, organised by Col Marius Coulon, was an evening of music and poetry linked to the First World War, delivered by the combined bands of the 4 MERCIAN, the Band & Bugles of Shropshire ACF, and the Band of 1119 Squadron ATC. The Museum was open to concert guests prior to the
we are planning to roll out a more regular events programme
Collection in Winchester, we are hoping
to welcome two serving members of the Regiment to deliver a talk on their experiences in Afghanistan. This will tie in with a redisplay of our Modern Army gallery, which will include newer equipment, ration packs, and a more up-to-date representation of The Rifles today.
event so that they could take the opportunity to learn about Shropshire’s strong military heritage and its contribution to the war effort. The money raised was split between the Shropshire Regimental Museum and Shropshire ACF, and due to the success
For more information on upcoming events, news about the museum, or to join our Friends Association, visit
our website at www.shropshireregimentalmuseum.co.uk, where you will also find our online shop and research service. Christine Bernath, Curator
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THE RIFLES