Page 63 - Bugle Autumn 2024

MUSEUM SECURES HEREFORD HERO’S MEDALS
After an appeal, the Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum was able to buy at auction the medals of John Bertram Symonds. He had lived at Aylestone Hill, Hereford and joined the Herefordshire Regiment at the
outbreak of The First World War in 1914. He was soon promoted to Corporal and landed with the Battalion at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. He then went on to serve in the Middle East, including locations at Gaza, Rafah and
Cpl Symonds showed great courage in crossing an exposed piece of ground under very heavy rifle fire
Khan Younis (all names currently in the headlines!), before moving to the Western Front in July 1918.
Cpl Symonds was awarded the Military Medal (MM) in July 1917, was Mentioned in Despatches (MID) in January 1918 and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) in February 1918. The citation for
his DCM reads: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an action. Cpl Symonds showed great courage in crossing an exposed piece of ground under very heavy rifle fire to obtain an important message from a runner who was lying wounded in the open.’
On 23 July 1918, the Herefords took part
in an attack to the south of Soissons – their first in France. They suffered some 238 casualties from machine-gun fire whilst advancing through high standing corn. Sadly, Cpl Symonds was killed, and he is buried at Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire. He was the Herefordshire Regiment’s most-decorated other rank.
CENTRAL
The Honorary Curator (Col Andy Taylor) and Assistant Honorary Curator (Danny Rees) with Cpl Symonds medals at Tupsley War Memorial on which Cpl Symonds is named.
BACK BADGE
REUNION IN
GLOUCESTER
The Back Badge Reunion was held in March in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess at Imjin Barracks, Innsworth Gloucester. The day started with a service held at St Mary de Lode church followed by a March of Veterans and the ACF led by a Standard through the City, then on to a luncheon
in the mess, hosted by the RSM Jayandra Garbuja QGE and his wife. 130 were in attendance and the day was a total success and a credit to the organizing committee.
The Officers
The Hosts
Hereford Branch at LI Memorial
HEREFORD BRANCH
The Hereford Branch of the LI and RIFLES Association recently visited the National Memorial Arboretum and paid their respects at the LI and the KSLI memorials. They also remembered those members who have passed away since their last visit – John Norton MM, Les Thomas and Ray Chamberlain.
RIFLES The Bugle 63