Page 223 - The Bugle 2018

The Rifles Oxford
RGJ Association - Oxford Branch – Bugle Report 2018
The Oxford branch continues progress with membership approaching 100 mainly consisting of ex 43rd & 52nd and Royal Green Jackets. We also have our dwindling number of WW2 Veterans as honorary members who we cherish. Two of these, Vernon Jones and Sam Langford, died during 2018 and the branch was represented with a small Guard of Honour at their funerals. Both Vernon and Sam landed on D Day as part of a beach group before being transferred to the OBLI for the advance to Germany.
As Rifleman we have an eye on the future and embrace any who have retired from The Rifles and who are looking for a home.
We take every opportunity to promote The Rifles as our successor as the County Regiment by supporting civic events and through the local media. The Turning of the Pages Ceremony every two months highlights this and when the new book of Remembrance recording those who have given their lives from The Royal Green Jackets and The Rifles will ensure that the links are continued for the future.
On November 11th 2017 a special “Turning of The Pages” service was held in Christ Church Cathedral this being well supported and a focal point for the City of Oxford with WW2 Veteran Vernon Jones reading five names of the fallen from the OBLI. We were also joined by representative Airmen from USAF Croughton with whom we are forming a relationship.
In 2018 we participated in an Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral where 30 names covering 1914-1918 from the OBLI who died were remem- bered.
The Branch is very active, although we have a limited social calendar we enjoy the events that we have. We are indebted to OC A Coy 7 Rifles and the PSAO Captain Rick Fletcher, and Caretaker Phil Evans for the support they give us by allowing the use of their facilities. September was our Autumn Lunch with our wives and partners this was well attended with over 50 sitting down to an excellent meal. In addition, the branch meets informally at the A Coy bar on the first Tuesday of the month with an average of 10 members joining A Coy Rifleman after their training evening ends.
In early November Roy “Stubby” Stephens represented the OBLIX at the Field of Remem- brance in Westminster Abbey and had the honour to shake hands with Prince Harry. Pity his phone gave up as the Chairman was taking a photo! We intend to maintain this representation in 2018 and beyond.
The Rifles/RGJ/OBLI reunion on the Saturday before Remembrance continuous to attract a reasonable attendance with the Reserve Soldiers from A Coy interacting with the “Old Sweats”. We were again entertained by the Band and Bugles of the Corunna Cadet Band who get better and better.
On Remembrance Sunday branch members attended their local Remembrance Sunday services with the Association wreath layers being
AS RIFLEMAN WE HAVE AN EYE ON THE FUTURE AND EMBRACE ANY WHO HAVE RETIRED FROM THE RIFLES AND WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A HOME
part of the Civic Procession in Oxford laying both OBLI and RGJ wreaths at the Memorial in St Giles Oxford.
In January after the Xmas and New Year festivities were over we had a joint lunch with our friends from The Rifles Oxford Officers Club again an enjoyable occasion. The annual Veterans Lunch was held in May 2018 were we again join the Officers Club to pay homage to our WW2 Vets. Sadly Vernon Jones passed away weeks before the lunch so the planned presentation by General Bob Pascoe Vernon’s medals the branch had arranged to be mounted could not take place. Before lunch General Bob Pascoe presented Steve Berridge with a certificate from The Rifles in recognition for the research he does on behalf of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum and his “On this Day” accounts of the Regiment that he publishes daily on The Lightbobs site. Steve’s dedication to this task is legendary.
Going forward we have decided to concen- trate on having two branch lunches (Spring and Autumn) as this will be more manageable now that Mike Marr has retired from the Oxford Rifles Office.
Mike served in the RGJ and The Rifles Office for over 13 years and his moving on has meant us needing to absorb all the myriad of hidden activ- ities he performed for us.
Our local magazine the Light Bob is published 3 times per year with a mix of news and reminis- cences and is posted to all members and our local list of WW2 Veterans. The photographs in this article are from it. It is also available on the web site.
The Turning of The Pages Ceremony every two months in the Military Chapel in Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford continues to grow and develop. We are indebted to Col Mike Vince who produces the names of those to be remem- bered each time with relatives often in attendance. This makes the service something special. Our President Brigadier Robin Draper and Branch Chairman Terry Roper are in the process of
ROY “STUBBY” STEPHENS REPRESENTED THE OBLIX AT THE FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY AND HAD THE HONOUR TO SHAKE HANDS WITH PRINCE HARRY
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 229