Page 248 - The Bugle 2018

THE ATTACK,
TO EXPLOIT
LOCAL
FRENCH
SUCCESS IN
THE SOISSON
AREA, WAS
THE SECOND
MOST
COSTLY
DAY THE
BATTALION
ENDURED WITH OVER 44 FATALITIES AND 280 WOUNDED
Herefordshire
The Rifles continue to maintain a high profile in the county with all the pillars present playing a full and active part. The Reserves, Cadets and the Association ensure ‘The Bugle’ is seen and heard throughout the County. 3 Platoon, after their resuborbdination from E to A Coy 6 RIFLES, commanded by Major Olly Bevan, continue to make their presence known. C (RIFLES) Coy HWACF also continue to introduce the county’s youngsters to the Rifles under the command of Maj Robert Wallbridge. He took over from Capt Hannah Hatch who remains Battalion
Sports Officer after completing over 15 years with C Coy as both a cadet and adult instructor.
In March, The Herefordshire
Light Infantry Officers Dinner
Club dined in Suvla Barracks,
numbers were down slightly
but are not a cause for
concern and a good evening
was enjoyed by all, we were delighted to host the Reverend Lady Lisvane, High Sheriff for Herefordshire and Lord Lisvane as our principal guests. At the AGM in October Shane Cusack gave a fascinating account of his time as a Company Commander with The Royal Marines during the Falklands conflict.
In September, at their annual lunch the Hereford Branch of the Associ- ation planted and dedicated a tree, in Suvla barracks in memory of Capt Terry Marsh who had served KOYLI and LI and latterly PSAO C Coy 5 LI in Hereford. The following month and under the auspices of WMRFCA a Community/Employer Engagement dinner was held in Suvla Barracks with over 70 people attending. Col Andy Taylor led the event and Maj
Olly Bevan and Maj Tony Ayres promoted the Rifles Reserves and Cadets. The Association and military charities were also present. In January the ‘new’ association branch in Ross On Wye held a service to dedicate their new standard.
On 23 Jul 1918, after three years in Gallipoli and the Middle East, The Herefordshire Regiment had their baptism of fire on the Western Front. The attack, to exploit local French success in the Soisson area, was the second most costly day the battalion endured with over 44 fatalities and 280 wounded, over 40% of the Battalion strength. On 23 July 2018 The Herefordshire Rifles County Colonel, Colonel Andy Taylor OBE DL, met with other descendants at Raperie CWGC to lay a wreath.
The photograph shows - Left to Right: Standing: Escort to The Standard: Mr Bob Morris. The Standard Bearer: Mr Tony Stone. Escort to the Standard: Mr Peter McVann Standing: The Reverend Sarah Jones, Rector of St Mary’s - Major the Reverend Edward Ward, Chaplain to The Association, Seated: Major Ladi Broadman - Lieutenant General Sir John Foley - Major Robert Barnes
Colonel Andy Taylor, Rifles County Colonel lays a wreath at Raperie CWGC on the 100th anniversary of the Herefordshire Regiment’s baptism of fire on the Western Front