Page 57 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

NORTH
Association members with members of The Minden House Buglers in the foreground
News from The Rifles, Light Infantry and KOYLI Association Office
Dozens turned
out to watch the
unveiling of a
memorial gate
dedicated to the
only Barnsley man
to ever receive a
Victoria Cross for
his act of bravery
in the First World
War. The Victoria
Cross Memorial Gate dedicated to the
memory of Rfn Albert Edward Shepherd
VC Kings Royal Rifle Corps was dedicated
in a ceremony by the Bishop of Wakefield,
and attended by the Mayor of Barnsley
Cllr Pauline Markham in the grounds of
Royston Parish Church, Barnsley on 22nd
Oct. RIFLES, LI, and KOYLI Standards, carried by Colin Cranswick, Ady Waites, and Tim Humphreys, joined other organisation’s Standards to form a guard of honour as Buglers Pete Bate, and Maj (Retd) David Jarratt sounded Last Post and Reveille. Beverley Oakley, the granddaughter of Albert, said: “We are very proud of our granddad for what he achieved, and he will be commended for ever more. This memorial has been wonderful.”
Our oldest active Association member Fred Adamson Legion d’honneur 1/4th KOYLI celebrated his 100th birthday on 16 November with a party in Doncaster that was full of surprises for the Normandy veteran. He was collected from his home by a small fleet of WWII vehicles that drove him to the venue of the party. He was met en-route by a KOYLI Standard flanked by Royal British Legion Standards who escorted the convoy. A fanfare by the Minden House Buglers announce Fred’s arrival at the club and was welcomed by the Elected Mayor of Doncaster Cllr Ros Jones, and Cllr Paul Wray Doncaster Council Armed Forces Champion. Fred’s 100th birthday party was the latest event in a busy year in which he returned to Normandy as part of the British Legions 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings celebrations.
Fred’s KOYLI 100th Birthday cake
Fred Adamson Legion d’honneur
1/4th KOYLI aged 100
Rfn Albert Edward Shepherd VC KRRC Memorial Gate
Minden House Buglers
Just four years ago, Kevin Fawcett a retired WO2, late 2LI, was inspired to learn to play the bugle with some help and encourage- ment from Craig Rosser, a retired bugler from 1LI. At the time Kevin, who was never
a regular bugler, was a volunteer adult instructor with The Rifles Cadets. A couple of years later, having learned to play the bugle, Kevin offered to run a bugling class for retired servicemen on Monday evenings at Minden House in Pontefract. Initial response was good, and the class was attended by six or so veterans, some of whom could already play, such as Pete Bate, who was a bugler with the KOYLI and 2LI for many years.
Since then the class has continued to grow and Kevin now has 23 buglers of varying standards on the books, at least six of them are up to performing standard and have already played at several events including
funerals. Six of the lads are capable of playing solo. Kevin has also put together a “distance learning package”, and he has over twenty veterans from across the country participating.
The Covid-19 restrictions imposed a halt on collective practice in March, but the aspiring buglers have continued to practice at home. Seven of the buglers were able to meet for practice for the first time at Minden House in August, and there was a notable improve- ment in bugling standards since lockdown. The Minden House Buglers hope to join or
be affiliated with the Veterans Buglers Asso- ciation in the future, and they are currently supporting the veteran buglers whenever they can. Should anyone wish to learn to play the bugle, details can be found from social media, or via The Rifles Pontefract Office.
Kevin now has 23 buglers of varying standards on the books
Kev Fawcett at about to perform at
The Featherston War Horse
RIFLES The Bugle 57