Page 82 - The Bugle 2018

Those on parade march past HRH the Duchess of Cornwall
Sounding Retreat
The end of A Company’s operational period on 12th July 2018 provided an excellent oppor- tunity to gather the battalion, our families, friends and supporters from across Aldershot Garrison and the regiment to watch the fantastic musical embellishment of Sounding Retreat.
We further used the evening to award opera- tional service medals for our current deployment in Afghanistan, a Queen’s Commendation for valuable service from our previous tour of Iraq and a host of Long Service and Good Conduct medals.
As such, the great and the good from across the battalion community, including a former Commanding Officer in Major General Rupert Jones, gathered in the Officers’ Mess to await the arrival of our Royal Colonel, HRH the Duchess of Cornwall. In a break from the preparations for
President Trump’s visit, the Duchess took the Royal Helicopter to Aldershot to maximise her time with us. On landing, she moved immediately to the gathering in the Mess, where she moved from family to family, working to meet as many as possible prior to the parade.
Meanwhile, under the watchful eye of the RSM, those receiving medals formed up on the square with the Band and Bugles of The Rifles ready to accompany. Shortly before HRH’s arrival, the RSM handed the parade over to Major Andy Pemberton for what would be his last task at Regimental Duty. Not only would he escort the Duchess around the parade but he himself would be receiving the bar to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The battalion took great pride in watching one of the great soldiers of this regiment take the parade and receive formal recognition for his decades of service at Regimental Duty.
On conclusion of the medals parade, the crowd settled down to watch the musical display provided by the Band and Bugles. What followed was an excellent show, delivered in true Rifles style with the audience transfixed until the sounding of Sunset and the lowering of the flags. Sadly, business in London required the Duchess to leave us after the parade but festivities continued with all retiring to their respective messes for dinner ahead of thoroughly deserved long weekend. Captain T C Foster
Adjutant
THE RSM HANDED THE PARADE OVER TO MAJOR ANDY PEMBERTON FOR WHAT WOULD BE HIS LAST TASK AT REGIMENTAL DUTY
HRH the Duchess of Cornwall displaying once again, her commitment to the 4e Battalion
88 FOURTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES