Page 249 - The Bugle 2018

SCLI, LI & RIFLES Reunion
The 34th annual reunion of the SCLI, LI & RIFLES took place on Saturday 21st April 2017 at the Lawns Social Club, Taunton. The large Shrewsbury reunion in 2018 possibly accounted for number being a little lower than previous years but nevertheless Light Infantrymen travelled from all parts of the UK and some for their first time. It was a pleasure to welcome new and old alike. Meanwhile more needs to be done to attract Riflemen. This year we enjoyed hosting many buglers from The Light Division & Rifles Buglers Association. They once again gave several long displays of their bugling supported by a sound system and CDs. It is an approach and technique they are perfecting each year. They also delighted with their display on the Post Horn. Debbie Hards from The Rifles Office Taunton, ably assisted by Candy Janes, was present. They organised the Regimental Shop containing a variety of items. Trade throughout the evening was brisk. The Club Caterer, Liz Harris once again prepared a superb buffet which was enjoyed by all and for which she was justly praised. Thanks, was also conveyed to the bar staff for their sterling work during the evening. The confirmed date for the reunion next year, as arranged by Lawrie Hodges, is Saturday 27th April 2019. Please put the date in your diary and we look forward to seeing you.
Somerset Light Infantry – Malaya Reunion
On Saturday 28th April, SOM LI veterans who served in Malaya between 1952 and 1955, gathered at the Lawns Social Club, Taunton for their annual reunion. The reunion was hosted by the Taunton Branch of the Rifles and Light Infantry Association. The veterans, now in their mid-eighties, had made a considerable effort to be there. Family and friends had been persuaded to act as chauffeur for the night; one granddaughter driving two and a half hours each way to bring her grandfather from the Home Counties. Among the many regulars’ present was Mr Paul Beaumont, the son of Sgt Raymond Beaumont killed in action. The veterans have always held the families of those who gave their lives in the highest esteem and so were delighted to welcome Paul.
Thanks were expressed to the Taunton Branch, and especially the Ladies, for working so hard to make the evening the success it was. The veterans also expressed their appreciation for the support from The Rifles Office, Taunton past and present and not least Debbie Hards who ran the Regimental Shop during the event. Many took the opportunity to purchase various regimental items enabling them to be correctly dressed for Remem- brance. The hospitable staff of the Lawns Social Club did everything possible to make the reunion feel at home and their excellent buffet was greatly appreciated. The delicious beef and chicken curries helped to remind the jungle veterans of times gone by. Time flies when enjoying good company and a glass or two. All too soon the evening was over, and promises were renewed to keep in touch and to attend the reunion next year, provisionally booked for Saturday 27th April 2019, at the Lawns Social Club in Taunton. Any former members of the SOM LI who would like to attend please contact Jim Durrant on 01823 275787.
Bristol Branch
The highlight of the past year was our Annual Dinner in October 2017 at which the speaker was the newly appointed Lord Lieutenant for Bristol, Mrs Peaches Golding OBE. This was followed in December by the increasingly popular Christmas Ladies Lunch. With many of our members preferring daylight driving we have decided this will take the place of the Annual Dinner. This year’s lunch, on Friday 7th December 2018, will take place at Keynsham RFC who provide an excellent meal and ample parking. If tempted please ring our Chairman, Lt Col Eric Herrington, on 0117 986 1674. Another highlight was the inter-branch Skittles competition although sadly both our men’s and our ladies teams were nudged into second place by a single pin!
On a sad note we attended the funeral of Nobby Clark DCLI who has been a longstanding stalwart of the Branch. We are particularly grateful to our Standard Bearers, Tony Piper and John Owers, who make a very smart appearance not only at funerals, but at many events through the year.
2019 will see a significant change in our pattern of Branch meetings. We will continue to meet at the Reserve Centre/Artillery Ground, Whiteladies Road (opposite the BBC) but meetings will now be on the third Friday of alternate months (January, March, May, July, September and November). The meetings will begin at 12.30 and be followed, at 1.15pm, by a light lunch finishing sometime after 2.00pm.
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 255
Bath Branch
Bath Branch continues to be active in supporting Association events with full membership standing at 41 plus 29 Associate Members. In 2017 members attended a Raising of the Flag Ceremony at the Bath Guildhall marking the start of Armed Forces Week. A subsequent pilgrimage to Normandy went really well, organised by Cyril Soane and led by Col Adrian Amber LI. A letter of thanks was sent to the Mayor of Mouen and the commune, for their hospitality. Branch support was also evident at the Double Hill Parade and Memorial Service marking the site of a WWII glider crashed, at Paulton. Some 23 men lost their lives and became amongst Operation ‘Market Gardens’ first casualties. In addition a strong number of members attended the 9 SOM LI lunch and draw at St Audries Bay. Meanwhile the National Arboretum, Alrewas, was also well attended for the Northern Ireland memorial service.
The Army Reserve Centre Bath has become our new venue for the Bath Branch Dinner. Invited guests, before Remembrance, included The Mayor of Bath, the Rifles Colonel South West, Brig Richard Toomey, and Lt Col Mike Motum. The Field of Remembrance Service, in Bath’s Abbey Churchyard, was well attended. Later, members took to the streets, collecting on behalf of the Poppy Appeal. Subsequent Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday ceremonies took place at Bath Abbey, Firs Field Combe Down, City War Memorial, Salute at the Guildhall and at Haycombe Commonwealth War Graves with Members and Standards supporting all. Thereafter a most welcome social evening of skittles, between Bath and Norton Radstock Branch, was held at Stones Cross, Midsomer Norton. The last monthly Branch meeting of the year is a social event and includes our six monthly prize draw and buffet, provided by the ladies of the Branch. It was a great evening and fitting way to end before Christmas.
The anniversary ceremony at Shrewsbury of the formation of The Light Infantry was well attended by Bath Branch. Beforehand our first social event of the year started began with our Annual Ladies Night Dinner at the Army Reserve Centre. It was enjoyed by all including our three lady guests. Near the beginning of the evening all stood in silence for the late Mr Harold Dunn, Mr. Gordon King and Mr James Cantello. Bath members represented the Branch at each of the funerals. Our AGM in March was postponed due to snow but the weather had picked up in time for the Branch to host the Inter Branch skittles competition at the Pratten Club, Midsomer Norton. Let us just say we need more practice. There- after we travelled to the Regimental Association AGM, and the SCLI & LI reunion at Taunton and the always popular annual Norton Radstock Dinner, was held at The Standerwick Centre, Frome. With the loss of our members. The Branch was advised that we need new members, to increase our numbers.
SOME 23 MEN LOST THEIR LIVES AND BECAME AMONGST OPERATION ‘MARKET GARDENS’ FIRST CASUALTIES