Page 196 - The Bugle 2018

Rifles and RGBW Regimental Association News
THE VENUE FOR THE LUNCH WAS VOTED A RESOUNDING SUCCESS BY ALL WHO ATTENDED
Back Badge Reunion
24 March 2018
For 2018 the Committee under the guiding hand of Lt Col Rib Dixon and the dynamic organisation of Len Keeling decided to alter the format of the event, replacing the evening function with a lunch following on after the church service. Judging from the increased turnout the changed format can be deemed to have been a roaring success.
Association members, their wives/partners met up with the assembled Standard Bearers then held the annual church service in the serene setting of St Mary de Lode Church. After the service everyone made their way from the church to Doctor Fosters Restaurant, located in the historic city docks.
Not only were numbers up on previous years but the venue for the lunch was voted a resounding success by all who attended.
Congratulation to Rob Dixon and Len Keeling on organising such a successful event and it is excellent news to hear and see Back Badge Day has been revitalised.
Lunch in Dr Foster’s after the Back Badge Service
The Korean Oak Remembrance Ceremony
22 April 2018
On Sunday 22 April Members of the Forest of Dean Branch of The Rifles and RGBW Associ- ation gathered before the Korean Oak at Bathurst Park, Lydney, to commemorate those men of the Glosters, and other Units, who lost their lives in the Battle of the Imjin River during the Korean conflict.
The Korean Oak tree was originally planted at a Ceremony held at Bathurst Park on 8th December 2013 by Roy Mills, a veteran of the Battle of the Imjin River and a former POW, accompanied by the Mayor of Lydney, Bob Berryman. Wreaths were laid by the Forest of Dean Branch of The Rifles and RGBW Association, The Royal British Legion and The Royal Artillery. Tony Linker, Branch President, read an Ode of Remembrance and a Bugler from 1
Rifles, Chepstow, sounded Last Post followed by a 2 Minute Silence. Reveille was then sounded, and an Expression of Thanks was read by Tony. Standards were paraded by The Rifles and RGBW Association and The Royal British Legion. A Commemorative Service is held at the Korean Oak every year on the Sunday nearest to 21st of April.
Mike Houghton MBE, who served in the Glosters in the early 1950s, donated the oak and he also cares for the tree, taking whatever pruning action is required. A bronze Commemorative Plaque was fitted by Bream Funeral Directors to a stone plinth supplied by Forest Stone. In 2015 the Lydney Park Authorities kindly placed iron framework around the Oak for protection against all the various park activities.
Devizes Reunion
03 June 2018
On a very warm summer Sunday afternoon members predominantly the Wiltshire Regiment assembled in the Devizes Market Place and a select few who still felt able followed the Standards to St John’s Church for a service conducted by the Association Chaplain, the Venerable Alan Jeans, Archdeacon of Sarum.
Lunch followed in the Devizes Town Hall, as with the Back Badge Day, it was very pleasing to see an increase in the numbers attending and once again due to the diligent work of the organising committee, namely Ian Knight, Norman Minty together with the Wiltshire County Committee of Lt Col John Venus MBE and David Fielding.
We had been trying for several months to be able to invite Mrs Sue Nelmes to a function whereby we
could thank her for her services within the Salisbury Office whether it was under the badge of RGBW or The Rifles. Sue has been a marvellous supporter of the Association. Anyone who has ever had occasion to phone the Salisbury Office either for advice, assis- tance or simply to provide have someone to listen to your problem, has always received a first class treatment.
So fortunately, Sue was able to accept the invitation to attend the Devizes Reunion. The regard with which Sue has been held has been shown by the generous donations made by the members. Rather than present her with an item she might not use we sought her opinion and she asked for a regimental brooch, which was duly presented along with our best wishes to her and her family for the future.
RGBW brooch
202 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS THE RIFLES