Page 202 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019

Rev Kenneth Crawford conducted the 50th Anniversary Service in Durham Market Place
THE NAMES OF THE FALLEN WERE READ BY MAJOR CHIS LAWTON MBE DL
50 year Memorial Service, Reunion and Association Parade – 9 September 2018 Reunion Sunday began a great start with the Memorial Service in Durham Market Place on Sunday morning. Before a Guard of Honour of DLI Veterans commanded by Major Paul Wharton MM Association Chairman, and the Standards of the Association, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Mrs Sue Snowdon accompanied by the Rifles Secretary Major Chris Lawton MBE, DL, the Mayor of Durham Cllr John and Mrs Lethbridge and others including General Sir Peter and Lady Bridget de la Billiere, Brigadier Bob Macgregor-Oakford, Brigadier Charlie Collins. Colonel James and Mrs Carolyn Ramsbotham. Col Arthur Charlton TD DL and In-Pensioner Arthur ‘Skippy’ Teasdale and Association members and their families were also present. The Association Chaplain Revd Kenneth Crawford conducted a Service of Remembrance marking the Disbandment of the DLI 50 years previously in 1968. Many members of the general public were also present in the small market place, marking the strong links that have always existed between the Regiment and the community of County Durham. At the conclusion of the service everyone made their way to the Cathedral Close for the Annual Reunion Parade of the DLI Associ- ation.
The DLI Association gathered as usual just before midday in the College Close of the cathedral to meet comrades and renew service friendships as they have done for more years than anyone can remember. At the sound of the Bugle of the Durham Army Cadet Force Band and Bugles, parading under their Director of Music Major Colin Miller and WO1 Bugle Major Derek Corbett, those who could march fell-in, in one of two contin- gents for the Inspection and March Past. A further contingent of those wishing to parade but unable to march also took their places. The parade was commanded by Major Paul Wharton MM with marching contingents led by Lt Col Jimmy Brown and Lt Col John Heron TD. After inspection by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Mrs Sue Snowdon and other senior officers and the Bugle Calls of the Day, the Association Marched Past before entering the cathedral for their Annual Service. The DLI Chapel was displaying for the first time the new dossal and frontal displaying the Cap Badge of the Durham Light Infantry, designed and made by the Association Chaplain Revd Kenneth Crawford. The names of the fallen were read by Major Chis Lawton MBE DL, and the lesson read by Brigadier Bob Macgregor-Oakford CBE MC.
Members of the DLI Association paraded on Durham City Market Square in memory of 50 years since the Regiment lost Durham out of Durham Light Infantry
The DLI branch Standards are dipped in Salute in Remembrance of the disbandment of the Durham Light Infantry in 1968
Three DLI Korean Veterans meet in the Town Hall, Brig Bob MacGregor-Oakford, In-Pensioner Skippy Teasdale and Gen Sir Peter de la Billiere
200 RIFLES OFFICES AND ASSOCIATIONS
THE RIFLES