Page 229 - The Bugle 2018

Rifles/Light Infantry/KOYLI
Regimental Association News
Unveiling of the KOYLI Memorial Statue, Elmfield Park, Doncaster
Brigadier (Retd) Roger St C Preston says: “It was very much a regimental day with 400 present.” There were a few guests including the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, the Civic Mayor of Doncaster and Mayors or their representatives from our Freedom Cities, towns and members of 8 RIFLES. Two major donors were present: Alan Grieve, on behalf of the Jerwood Foundation (John Jerwood was Adjutant of 1 KOYLI in WW2 in Italy) and the Campbell family (who gave a major contribution in memory of their father Corporal Low who served in A Company 1 KOYLI in Kenya, Aden and Cyprus). The Norwegian Ambassador was invited but was unable to attend (a major donation was given in recognition of 4 KOYLI’s service in Norway in WW2). John Scurr also gave a substantial donation but was unable to attend. He was NS in Malaya with 1 KOYLI in the 40’s and wrote a couple of books about his experiences.
The day started with senior guests and a few hosts invited to coffee at the Earl of Doncaster hotel. A presentation was made to the Mayor of Doncaster of a miniature silver replica of the main statue, in recognition of the close links between the Regiment and Doncaster. Future presentations are planned for Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees and Pontefract.
The main ceremony was in Elmfield Park. There was much discussion where the statue should be sited, and it was strongly felt by members of the Association that it should be in Yorkshire rather than at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. Doncaster was chosen because the Museum was there, and in the longer term, when we have all gone, memories of the Regiment will be housed in Doncaster. A new cultural centre is to be built in Doncaster into which our Museum will be moved so it was not possible to site the statue outside the existing Museum. Elmfield Park is only a short distance away.
The bronze statue, weighing in at 4.5 tons, is of a KOYLI soldier in jungle kit. The statue however is intended to commemorate all those who served in the KOYLI. The statue unveiling photograph shows what it is like. Battle honours are on two sides, the regimental crest on the third side and VC winners on the fourth side. The area around the statue is a bed of white roses, kindly presented and planted by Catherine Penny. The cost of the project including the dedication ceremony came to about £150,000. This was raised by donations and a grant from the trustees.
The ceremony itself started with an opening address of welcome and was followed by a service of dedication led by our Regimental padre Andrew Martlew.During this, regimental remembrances
THE AREA AROUND
THE STATUE IS A BED OF WHITE ROSES
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 235