Page 234 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Lord King
Norton Radstock Branch
Bristol Branch
Our third Thursday monthly meetings continue to keep us in touch with all Regimental activities which is largely due to information passed by the Taunton Office. .
We remain keen to welcome new members not least to provide reinforcements for those who have passed on. We miss George Gillard a long serving Somerset Band Corporal and Storeman. Also missing is Tony Cornock who was over 94 when he died – but he won’t be forgotten as two of his sons are regulars at our Annual Dinner. The death of our Messing Member, Captain Gerald Ellis, left a big gap but we hope that he would have approved of the 2013 Diner when 60 gathered to hear former Somerset LI Captain, now Lord, Tom King. His after dinner speech was outstanding, enjoyed by all.
In March Lt Col Shepherd from Abbey Wood spoke at our Ladies Curry Supper. He told us about present day field rations for all three services and came armed with samples. Finally we are delighted to record that our Skittles team retained the County Trophy!
In November 2013 our members joined others at the Armistice Day service at Wells Cathedral together with the standards. Wreaths on behalf of The Rifles and The Somerset Light Infantry
were laid. Some pupils,
from a junior school
joined us, which very
pleasing. They were
most interested in the
occasion.
Meanwhile skittles and good company provided a lighter touch: our Branch joined with Bristol in our annual skittles match, enjoyed by everyone; we also journeyed to
Taunton Branch
The social life of the branch is as busy as ever and includes annual events such as visits to the Royal Bath & West Show for the Retreat and Regimental Reception and our skittle matches against the Guards Association. Meanwhile film night suppers complete with fish & chips are also proving popular.
The Guards actually won our last skittles match for the first time ever. Meanwhile our August bar-b-que featured the Taunton Deane Barbers Shop Chorus. They were so entertaining they have been asked again this year! Our annual Dinner and Christmas lunch, were both held at Taunton Rugby Club and were extremely well attended. Our after dinner speaker was Brigadier Christopher Wolverson whose last appointment was as commander 43 (Wessex) Brigade. Over one hundred attended and our Christmas lunch drew a similar size thanks to support from the Norton Radstock Branch. We hope they can join us again.
In April 2014 the Branch hosted the second Jellalabad Sunday Lunch. It was again held at Taunton Rugby Club and over eighty sat down to an excellent meal. It is planned to
repeat the event and it will be on Sunday 12th
April 2015; more details later.
The Branch this year took part in the
Weymouth Veterans weekend, the main event
was 2000 veterans marching the length of
Weymouth Esplanade. Some of our members
took part in the march and the parade was
led by the Band of The Royal Marines closely followed by our oldest member Colin Criddle, a veteran of Hill 112, pushed in his wheel chair and in pole position. We met up with other veterans of the Light Infantry and Rifles who were also visiting, and formed a
The 70th anniversary brings a time of change
Westbury to play skittles with the RBL. Our annual dinner was held at the Standerwick Centre near Frome. There we joined by members from both Bath and Bristol
by the Guard of Honour from 1 RIFLES. Some of our members journeyed to
Normandy with veterans to lay wreaths and poppies on memorials and graves where our soldiers fought. We very much appreciate the kindness and hospitality of the French villagers who continue to make us so welcome. A full account appears elsewhere. The 70th anniversary brings
a time of change in both Normandy and Mere. 2014 marked the last of the 43rd (Wessex) Division parades, at Mere.
Meanwhile we are very sad to report the passing of two of our members, Gerald Davis and more recently, John Majendie.
Branches.
Earlier this summer
we joined Bath members and travelled to Watchet with our standards. There we participated in the
unveiling and dedication of a new war memorial adjacent to the local railway station and near to the quayside. It was an impressive spectacle and greatly assisted
All who attended enjoyed their day by the seaside
“Battledress is optional 70 years on”
sizeable contingent of green berets. This was the second year the branch has taken part in the parade. The weather was excellent and although hot there was a cooling breeze. All who attended enjoyed their day by the seaside and have expressed a wish to do it again.
Sadly we have to report the death of Tony Hood a long standing branch member and Ken Rendell who recently joined the branch from The South Somerset Branch details will appear in the obituaries section.
Thanks must go to Jim Paul for once again educating us on matters of Somerset Military History, Lawrie Hodges our hard working
secretary, Ken Marsh for his financial assistance and the ladies of the branch for ensuring that every week a display of flowers are provided for the regimental aisle of St Mary’s Church on behalf of the Regiment.
232 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEWS
THE RIFLES