Page 76 - Bugle Autumn 2024

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GREEN JACKET CLOSE
Did you know that the regiment owns 21 properties in Winchester, which are available to veteran Riflemen to live in?
Upon our formation in 2007, Green Jacket Close was absorbed into The Rifles Benevolent Trust and their occupation was opened up to all members of the forming and antecedent regiments, as well as those who continue to serve with The Rifles.
On 15 July 1904, the Cottage Homes for disabled Riflemen, as they were then known, were opened by Field Marshal HRH The Duke of Connaught (C-in-C The Rifle Brigade), and HRH The Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein, whose son, Prince Christian Victor, had died in 1900 in South Africa, while serving with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC), one of our antecedent regiments.
The properties, which consisted of four pairs of semi-detached cottages, were built as a memorial to the 44 Officers and 550 men of the KRRC and the Rifle Brigade who had been killed in action or died of wounds or disease during the Boer War. One of the pairs of the 60th cottages were dedicated in memory
of Prince Christian Victor, and another pair
of 95th cottages were given by the Duke of Connaught.
The money was raised by the Rifleman’s Aid Society, much of it by subscription from serving and former Officers, NCOs and men of the regiment; but also included several large donations from individuals. The total cost was nearly £6,000.
Grand Designs
The original cottages have been modernised and five of them have been converted into two one-bedroom flats. In addition, in 1966 four two-bedroom houses, two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom flats were built on the site with funds also provided by the Rifleman’s
Aid Society, increasing the total number of housing units available to 21. We currently have 26 residents living there including widows and widowers.
We currently have 26 residents
How To Apply
Applications are considered based on eligibility and an individual’s genuine need, not rank or time served.
If you would like to live in Green Jacket Close and would like to put your name down on the current waiting list, please contact Andy Spalding at gjc@the-rifles.co.uk. Andy Spalding
Green Jacket Close Estate Manager (ex-WO2 The Royal Green Jackets)
RIFLES CRICKET
all are welcome to take part
The Rifles Cricket Club has a great set of fixtures each year and all are welcome to take part. Get in touch with your Battalion Cricket Officer’s or search for RIFLES Cricket on SWIFT for more information as to how you can get involved.
The Rifles Cricket Club recently held its annual Inter Battalion Cricket Competition in Winchester. A lively and entertaining day of cricket was well attended from across the regiment, as well as 4th Battalion The Ranger Regiment.
1st Battalion The Rifles travelled from Cyprus
and ensured their trip was worthwhile by winning the competition with an impressive performance in the final against 7th Battalion The Rifles. In addition, awards were given to Rfn Rowe (1 RIFLES) for best batter, Lt Reel
(1 RIFLES) for best bowler, and Rfn Jones (5 RIFLES) for the “Spirit of Cricket” award.
76 RIFLES The Bugle