Page 262 - The Bugle 2018

Northern Ireland Veterans Association Remembrance
The Northern Ireland Veteran’s Association Buglers Association of the Light Division and Rifles
IT WAS A TIME TO REMEMBER THOSE LOST, TO MEET UP WITH OLD FRIENDS AND MEET NEW ONES, AS WELL TO ACCEPT THE GENEROUS HOSPITALITY OF OUR RGJ BROTHERS
Service of Remembrance was held at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 8th September which attracted goodly numbers but there was space for more. The day started with the Service of Remembrance at the Chapel after which we formed up before setting off to the bugle call in the direction of the Ulster Ash Grove. Wreaths were laid at the memorial by Maj Gen Nick Cottam CB OBE and myself.
Having re-assembled we marched at great pace courtesy of the buglers along the Millenium Avenue saluting General Sir Robert Pascoe KCB MBE, Patron of the NIVA, then a sharp left wheel and halt by the RGJ’s memorial. Weaths were laid by Maj Ken Kennedy MBE and Maj Gen James Gordon CB CBE.
We then marched past the stunning Armed Forces Memorial, which is well worth visiting. The concept and design of the stone walls and the 14 bronze figures is very moving. At 11am on 11 November each year the sun shines, weather permitting, through the open stone door lighting up the bronze wreath at the centre of the memorial.
After the Armed Forces Memorial, we broke ranks to walk across the wet grass re-forming infront of the Light Infantry Memorial where there was a short wait for Cpl Tom Jennings to arrive. Tom lost his sight as a result of a serious injury whilst serving with 3LI in Northern Ireland. It was great to have Tom with us whilst Lt Col Ron Beavan MBE and Maj Gen Jamie Balfour CBE DL laid the wreaths and last post was played.
After the formalities we returned to the Visitor Centre and from there to the Sutton Coldfield Branch of the RBL where we were welcomed by many RGJ veterans for a drink and buffet, and then for
entertainment provided by the buglers.
I must add that the buglers of The
did a wonderful job whilst on parade and enter- taining.
In conclusion the day was special. It was a time to remember those lost, to meet up with old friends and meet new ones, as well to accept the generous hospitality of our RGJ brothers at their RBL Branch. In addition, as soldiers and veterans it is good to have our Regimental Memorials at the NMA which is a marvellous focus for us all.
I encourage everyone to attend next years NIVA Service of Memorial which is provisionally on Saturday 14 September 2019 as it would be good to see more bugle cap badges on parade.
Maj Richard Montagu
268 ARTICLES
THE RIFLES
Ken Kennedy & Jamie Gordon salute the RGJ Memorial
Officers and other ranks march