Page 233 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Bath Branch
Our year began with sixteen Branch members and standards, parading at Castle Hill, Mere for the annual service of Remembrance, in memory of the 43rd (Wessex) Division, and those who gave their lives in Europe during 1944-5. Our year ended this summer with the very last parade, at Mere, to
later in the year with the Dedication of the Field of Remembrance and then Remembrance at the centre of Bath. On Armistice day members attended the Commonwealth War Graves Memorial at Haycombe in addition to ceremonies at Bath Abbey and Firs Field. More recently
The Guildhall Bath
to be held at Shrewsbury. We look forward to supporting the event at Shrewsbury’s Football Club in 2015. Last of all the Branch supported the start of Armed Forces Week, at The Guildhall, on Monday 23rd June. This annual event was supported by branch members and serving officers and soldiers from the surrounding area.
Sadly we lost three members. Mr Les Doble, Mr John Cochrane (associate member) and Major WW. Hanna. Bill was Branch Chairman, for over twenty years and is missed by all. On a more positive note the Branch has been joined by three new members, two former Light Infantry men and a Rifles Officer.
Our Association meetings in Bath are the first Friday of the month 1930hrs at the TA Centre, Upper Bristol Road.
take place. In between we have enjoyed a busy round of branch and social activities
Jellalabad was celebrated in Taunton, a great success
we travelled to Watchet to participate in the unveiling and dedication of a new war memorial. There we supported with numbers and standards.
Skittles remains
a firm favourite. A
friendly match with
Norton Radstock took place in September and formed a part of our build up to the Association County competition in Spring 2014. It looks like we still need plenty of practice! Other social activities included our annual dinner. The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Malcolm Lees, was our principal guest. Others included Maj Jake White
and WO1 Graham Hales of The Rifles, Lt Col Mike Motum and Capt John Ledgister R SIGNALS. Our invitation to attend
the Taunton Christmas lunch was much appreciated by many and also in December we enjoyed our 6 monthly prize draw and buffet.
2015 has also been busy on the social front. We began with our Ladies night in January at Bath Cricket Club. Jellalabad was celebrated in Taunton, a great success, and in May we joined the Norton Radstock Branch for their dinner. Meanwhile Malaya and SCLI veterans went to Taunton to join their respective annual reunion.
The first casualties en route to Arnhem were remembered at the annual parade at Double Hills, Paulton. This was followed
Sounding Retreat and a RIFLES reception took place last Autumn at Taunton’s Castle Green and
was a huge success. Meanwhile this June saw the last of the Light Infantry reunions
Comradeship
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEWS 231