Page 255 - The Bugle 2018

Trip to the National Arboretum - Alrewas
The Rifles and Light Infantry Association branch, Taunton recently received a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. Its purpose was to fund as many members of the Branch and other members of local military Associations on a Pilgrimage to the National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas, Staffordshire. The Big Lottery Fund were generous, enabling the Branch to take fifty members on a weekend pilgrimage.
A party of fifty veterans and friends set off from Taunton Rugby Club by coach on Friday morning. First stop was a visit The Staffordshire Regiment Museum in Lichfield, to see the Victoria Cross won by Lt George Cairns of the Somerset Light Infantry, whilst attached to the South Staffordshire Regiment in Burma. It was the last Victoria Cross awarded in WW2. Due to delays on the motorway we had to cancel the Museum trip but enjoyed a late lunch in the George Hotel Lichfield before moving on to The Moor Hall Hotel, Sutton Coalfield for dinner and an overnight stay.
Saturday morning proved to be a dull but dry day and after a substantial breakfast the party headed off to The Arboretum. The main reason for the visit was so to assist members in taking part at the annual commemoration of the Northern Ireland Veterans pilgrimage at the Memorial’s Ulster Ash Grove. At Noon after a short service in the Memorial chapel, over one thousand veterans of the campaign formed up ready to march to the memorial. The Taunton veterans paraded with the Light Division contingent who set off ten minutes after the main parade, led by the Association Buglers at 140 paces to the minute. A short dedication then took place at the memorial. The buglers sounded Last Post followed by Reveille. Wreaths were then laid with Lt Col Ray Hall laying a wreath on behalf of the Taunton Branch. The Light Division Contingent then formed again and marched to The Royal Green Jacket Memorial for a short service and wreath laying. That was followed by a further march to the Light Infantry memorial where the same format took place. This gave the Taunton members an opportunity to remember their comrades from the Taunton area, notably Privates R Jones, and JS Winter, LCpl A Kennington and Cpl Morrell, and place crosses in their honour. After a very long and tiring day the party re-joined their coach
OUR THANKS TO THE NATIONAL LOTTERY FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT
and headed back to Taunton, only to be delayed on the M5 for three hours! It had been a memorable two days and our thanks to the National Lottery for their generous support of the project. Without it, the pilgrimage would not have been possible.
Bob Staple – Standard Bearer The Rifles and Light Infantry Association
A trip to the National Arboretum in Staffordshire
Taunton Veterans ready to Parade
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 261