Page 34 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

Support to public duties
After a well-deserved summer leave and the Battalion Patrol Competition in Thetford, A Company 5 RIFLES temporarily hung up their field boots and took to the drill square in preparation for Ceremonial Duties in London. This was only the second time since formation in 2007 that The Rifles have mounted The Queen’s Guard at St. James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace, The Tower
of London and Windsor Castle. Following
three weeks of relentless square bashing and tailoring in Bulford and Woolwich, the Garrison Serjeant Major for London District praised A Company 5 RIFLES on their performance after a meticulous Fit for Role Inspection at Wellington Barracks. The word ‘excellent’ was used!
On 7th Oct 19, A Company 5 RIFLES marched onto the forecourt of Buckingham Palace for the first time to relieve No. 7 Company Cold-
In all it was a privilege and pleasure for A Coy to deliver this highly prestigious role on behalf
of the Regiment
stream Guards, flanked by police and crowds amassed in their thousands; it was a fine sight to see Riflemen standing proudly outside the sentry boxes at the Royal Palaces. Families and friends watched and supported the Riflemen on parade and were able to celebrate their achievements with them on Families’ Day at The Union Jack Club, following an address by Officer Commanding A Company, Major Rob Fellows. The Company also had the privilege to be part of the State Opening of Parliament on 14 Oct 2019, turning out the Queen’s Guard on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace to provide a Royal Salute as HM The Queen left for the Houses of Parliament.
In all it was a privilege and pleasure for A Coy to deliver this highly prestigious role on behalf of the Regiment. Lt Col Andrew Ridland remarked that ‘A Company have done the Battalion and Regiment proud and offered a once in a lifetime opportunity the Riflemen will never forget.’
Maj R Fellows
OC A Coy
The Garrison Serjeant Major was suitably impressed by the dress and drill standards
Smart as a carrot and
of A Company. A testament to the long hours of practice put in by all ranks
twice as crunchy
The Battalion held the eagerly awaited Inter-Coy Boxing Competition during October 2019. This year the onus was on
the sub-units to identify and train their own nominated boxers with as little input from BHQ as possible. Boxers were handpicked, internally trained and fought extremely well as outstanding gladiators in the compe- tition. Preliminary fights determined the order of merit on the night and the riflemen’s display of courage and determination set a superb standard.
Once the preliminary fights had concluded, those who were selected to represent their
34 RIFLES The Bugle
company were announced and the boxers set their focus on the finals. The finals were held in the presence of Brigadier D Biddick MBE MC (Comd 20 Brigade), the arena was filled
to capacity, and the event was live streamed to enable the Regimental family who could not be present the opportunity to watch
the show. The night ran with style and the Battalion was treated to some outstanding boxing. Lt Plunkett B Coy was awarded ‘most courageous boxer’ and Rfn Bacon took home the cup as ‘Best Boxer.’
Capt G Henry
Unit Welfare Officer
INTER-COMPANY BOXING
A fine group of fighters