Page 67 - Bugle Autumn 2024

SOUTH WEST
THE DCLI, SCLI, LIGHT INFANTRY AND RIFLES ASSOCIATION CORNWALL
The DCLI, SCLI, Light Infantry and RIFLES Association Cornwall is growing in number, with well over 120 members at the last count. The quarterly meetings are well attended and the AGM in January was
so large we had to change our venue to accommodate everyone. We have several dates in our diary that have now become annual events. For instance, the Paardeberg Dinner took place in Newquay in March.
In May, Chairman Nigel James MBE sent out a shout for a working party to clean the War Memorial at The Keep, Bodmin. The Memorial was raised by the DCLI to commemorate the 4,282 men of the regiment killed in the First World War. The low walls surrounding the statue commemorate the DCLI lost in the Second World War. Under the guidance of Steve Davies, the Military Grave Restorer, the team set to work cleaning the granite plinth and walls, blacking the lettering, laying new chippings and generally tidying up the area. The work was completed in time for the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Commemorations on 6 June. Most local residents are unaware that several Old Comrades are buried under the grass area around the memorial. Just after the service, the ashes of one of our veterans Richard ‘Dick’ Jenkins were laid to rest next to the War Memorial, surrounded by his family and association members, with Reverend Cannon John Hawkes saying prayers.
On 1 June a small group from
the Association attended the D-Day Commemorations held at Trebah on the Helford River, where a regiment of 7,500 men of the 29th US Infantry Division from the quiet Cornish inlet for Omaha Beach where they
80th Anniversary of D-Day held at The Keep
Phil and Nigel bring Ferret to Cornwall
suffered grievous casualties.
Ferreting around in Hampshire! A Light
Reconnaissance Armoured Car was donated to Bodmin Keep. Trouble was it needed to be piggybacked back to Cornwall. Step up Nigel
Most local residents are unaware that several old comrades are buried under the grass
and brother-in-law Phil to the rescue. The Ferret will be on display at The Keep soon!
Another group, headed by our Chairman, made their way to the LI Reunion in Shrewsbury where many members were present in the town and the Battalion get-togethers on the Friday evening. Unfortunately, on the Saturday the numbers were low for the main event of the weekend, however it was a very good day with an excellent turnout for the Parade and the afternoon entertainment by The Bugle Association playing Regimental Marches followed by impromptu Regimental songs and The Ronnie Singers.
There being no Armed Forces Day arranged in Cornwall, a few of our intrepid members trekked up to Plymouth by train and met up on The Hoe.
The next social gathering will be the Lazy Summer Afternoon
BBQ at the Keep
in July. Details of
how to join the Association can be obtained from The Rifles Office Bodmin (01208 73595).
WEYMOUTH PARADE
Members of The Rifles and Light Infantry Association Taunton Branch attended the Armed Forces Day Service and Parade at Weymouth. Following a Service of Remembrance
at the Cenotaph the parade took place
along Weymouth’s Sea front.
Parade Marshall John Downey BEM at Shrewsbury Reunion
RIFLES The Bugle 67