Page 241 - The Bugle 2018

Craven Arms Hotel our drinks appeared rapidly as our order had been sent ahead.
When finally, we were all on the Kennedy Farm we pitched our tents although one tent seemed to be missing. It was at this point that General Tim asked if he could join the Officers’ Mess team to which we replied in the affirmative and a smile. However, the loss of one tent was balanced out by the addition of another because Fred Vasey had joined us earlier in the day from the Caribbean! Well done Fred.
After a shower and a change, we headed off to the Ragleth Arms in Little Stretton and had a marvellous meal in the company of the Kennedys and the Bevans. We returned the next morning for breakfast before starting the last leg.
Day 3. There were several veterans who found the going tough on this last leg but who showed real guts. They were clearly suffering with aches, pains and blisters, but none of them gave up and all made it to the finishing line so well done to one and all. I suspect that they had Coco’s words in their ears: “Blisters last for weeks, but memories last a liftime”, “I am not telling you that it is going to be easy; I am telling you that it is going to be worth it.”
The walk into Shrewsbury was again on a mix of delightful narrow country lanes and large roads, again we could not escape the A49, but at least it took us most of the way to Meole Brace and the Brooklands Hotel for a drink and a bite to eat.
The last leg was short as we made our way to the Quarry park and the KSLI Memorial. There awaiting us was a small crowd, much bigger than we expected. We formed up in to 2 ranks and then listened to Brig Jim Parker’s words of praise and appreciation. Medals were awarded by
Lt Gen Robin Brims, Brig Jim Parker, Lt Col Ron Bevan and Maj Blondie Lawton to all partici- pants included Rory Evans’ parents which was well deserved.
After this great finale we headed back from whence we came to Percy Thrower’s Garden Centre where the café team had laid on sandwiches and hot dogs and a welcome cup of tea and some of us to recover their cars.
Then on to the relevant battalion reunion in the evening.
Reflections
One of the great aspects of getting together on this march was the fun and banter that we all took part in. There were some who hardly stopped, and I include in this elite group Barry Greensill, Tommy Meggison, Ken Lindon, Shaun Lavender, Lee Dunn, Stevie Green, Chad Choudhury and I am sure that I have missed plenty of others. There is no doubt that this kept the morale up and that laughing is good for you.
When you have so much time walking alongside lots of your old colleagues they all have a story to tell. I was really impressed with how well they have done in retirement which must have had something to do with serving in the Regiment.
There is always a way of contributing to a cause even if you cannot walk 50 miles. This was demon- strated in spades by Rory Evans’ parents and Julian Allen.
Shirley Haycock joined her husband, Lofty, on the march. She completed the course without any diffi- culty which is what we expect of the Rifles Reserves! Well done Shirley.
Medal Ceremony
It was not the most glamorous of roles to be the back markers for 50 miles, but nonetheless, it is a very important one. It was carried out by Mike Harper and John Friel. Thanks for doing a great job.
The success of 50-50-50-50 is not only due to those who participated on the day. It is also due to those that organised and planned this. I refer to Coco Cocoran, Richard Davey and their team. Congratulations.
I SUSPECT THAT THEY HAD COCO’S WORDS IN THEIR EARS: “BLISTERS LAST FOR WEEKS, BUT MEMORIES LAST A LIFTIME”
Conclusion
50-50-50-50 achieved its aims and I am delighted to report that Coco announced on Salamanca Day that we had raised £50,000.
Those that took part: Paul (Coco) Cocoran, Richard Davey, Robert (Chad) Choudhury, Colin Davies, Paul Lawson, Shaun Lavender, Chris Topham, John Boy Morris, Julian Allen, Gary Richards, Andy Thatcher, Steve Lawton, Lofty Haycock, Shirley Haycock, Richard Evans, Greg Dare, Lee Dunn, Mike Harper, Charlie Rignall, Paul Gillum, Neal Parsons, Kevin Kavagh, Gen Tim Evans, Chris James, John Friel, Jim Findlay, Tony Jennings, Ian Moore, Mark Keville, Steve Green, Barry Greensill, Robert Thornton, Mike Cross, Kirk (Bear) Richardson, Graeme Hardie, Malcolm Heslop, Terry Wiltshire, Patrick Evans, Jimmy Cohen, Steve Jones, Dave Goldsmith, Ken Lindon, Fred Vasey, Tommy Meggison, Stephen Brennan, Mick Moreau, Rory Evans, Greg Rogers and Tommo Thompson.
Major (Retd) Richard Montagu
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 247
The £50k cheque being held by Gary Richards, Graeme Hardie and Malcolm Heslop