Page 231 - The Bugle 2018

the North and the Association members joined the parade of Veterans.
It was all change for the annual trip to Westminster Abbey, in November, for the opening of the Field of Remembrance. The trip which in the past involved an earlier hours of the morning departure from Pontefract returning back in Pontefract late in the evening was changed this year to a leisurely journey to London and back by rail with an overnight stay in London at the Victory Services Club. This gave the 8 members on the trip an opportunity to enjoy an afternoon trip to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and to visit the only KOYLI Chelsea Pensioner??? who sadly is in the hospital wing. The next day KOYLI retired Officers Dickie Dutton and Stephen Hall, who live in London, joined the group for the opening the Field of Remembrance by his Royal Highness Prince Harry and then they enjoyed a relaxing lunch back at the Victory Services Club before travelling back north late that afternoon.
In the throes of the ‘Beast from the East’ during March we ran our first Association Standard Bearers course. Under the expert guidance of ex WO1 Ady Waites six of our Branch Standard Bearers were taught the various Royal British Legion Standard Bearer drills.
During the spring and summer, the Regimental Association Secretary, Colin Cranswick, has ensured that the Association was fully engaged in Regimental events and community activities in the areas were the Rifles and historically the KOYLI and Light Infantry recruited from. This year the Association has had its busiest year with branches and the Associ- ation gazebo attending Armed Forces Day events in Pontefract, Leeds and Doncaster and community events in; Howarth, Featherstone, South Kirkby, Edlington nr Doncaster, Doncaster Museum and Ossett. The Association Secretary also spent 3 days with The Rifles RST North in the Military Village at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate. Without the hard work of a loyal group of branch members from West Leeds, Pontefract, Wakefield and Doncaster who have supported the Association Secretary, the Association has developed an excellent reputation for involvement within our communities and civic events. The Association thanks Gerry Delany, Robert Smith, Stephen Drew, Brian Clayton, Geoff Holland, Ron Lowerson, Ronnie Barrows, Steve Tagg, and Tim Humphreys for the support they have given to the Association at the various regimental and community events.
IN THE THROES OF THE ‘BEAST FROM
THE EAST’ DURING MARCH
WE RAN
OUR FIRST ASSOCIATION STANDARD BEARERS COURSE
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 237