Page 36 - The Bugle 2018

The Battalion on parade in Lisburn
Battalion ‘Welcome Home’ parade and visit
of His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex
On Friday 9 March 2018, the Battalion was gener- Royal Colonel, His Royal Highness The Earl of
ously invited to parade through Lisburn by the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. The invitation was extended to welcome home the Battalion from operations in both South Sudan (Operation TRENTON) and Iraq (Operation SHADER). It also afforded the opportunity for our
ON A GLORIOUS SUNNY DAY, LARGE CROWDS TURNED OUT TO SUPPORT THE BATTALION
Wessex, to visit the Battalion.
The day commenced with a reception for the
Battalion and the Royal Colonel at the Island Civic Centre in Lisburn before forming up to march to the Market Square led by the Regimental Band and Bugles. On a glorious sunny day, large crowds turned out to support the Battalion who were warmly received at the square. The inspecting officers for the day were the Royal Colonel, Major General Jones (Assistant Chief of the General Staff) and Brigadier Swift (Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade).
Having completed the parade the Battalion returned to Thiepval Barracks for the official visit of the Royal Colonel to the Battalion. He was greeted by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Neil Bellamy, in the Officers’ Mess and met Rifleman from the Battalion who briefed him on overseas deployments. After a quick photograph with the combined Officers’ and Warrant Officers’ and Serjeants’ Messes he moved to open the new Swift and Bold families centre. Here he met the Welfare Officer, Captain John Pepper, who was instrumental in making the new centre come into existence, as well as a number of families.
The day finished with a stunning Battalion lunch in the main cookhouse which had been fully decked out in Regimental colours. Under the guidance of Major Vince Mears over 600 Rifleman and their families, as well as all the principal guests, were treated to a wonderful lunch and provided a fitting end to a really special day for the Battalion.
Major Kilpatrick
Battalion Second in Command
His Royal Highness The Earl Of Wessex inspects the parade
42 SECOND BATTALION
THE RIFLES