The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum
The Wardrobe, Salisbury
The Society of FriendsFrom Mike Homer
30 August at 16:31 ·
It’s my sad duty to inform you that
Mark Bryan ,Cheltenham,ex A Coy 1st Glosters,1975 -81.Passed away suddenly last Friday 22/08/2025.May he Rest in peace..
From Andrew Croker
Heard today that PETER KEEGAN, SNCO in 1970s/80s died this week appatently after a long battle with cancer. On leaving the Army he joined the Metropolitan Police Force and served at Feltham until he finally retired.
Info received from my father-in-law who used to be his next door neighbour when living in Staines and who was told of this by another neighbour who lives a couple of doors down from Pete. Pete remained very proud of his Army service and in particular of the Regiment. I have no further information regarding the full circimstances nor of any funeral arrangements. RIP Pete Keegan.
E coy reunion The plan is to meet at the Imperial Exeter from 13.00 on Saturday 20 September for our official reunion. Dress casual but smart The important thing is to be there. Wives, girlfriends and duty drivers are welcome. The City Centre is close by so they don't have to stay.
John Marsh writes:
"Many thanks to Norman for doing the ground work for our autumn meeting which will take place on Thursday 2 October 2025 at Upavon Golf Club - https://www.upavongolfclub.co.uk/
On the 5 August 30 members from the Forest of Dean, Severn & Stroud Branches, including the County Chairman, embarked on a boat trip down the Brecon Canal lasting approximately two and a half hours. We then were taken by coach to the Penderyn Distillery for a conducted tour and some sampling of their whisky/gin. It turned out to be a fascinating visit and well worth a visit for those who have never been.
Many bottles were purchased and the journey home was quite vociferous. The whole day was organised by Rojer and Gill Phelps, chairman and treasurer of Forest of Dean Branch of the Association.
Salisbury City Council has invited the Association to take part in the city's Remembrance Sunday Parade at the War Memorial on Sunday 9 November followed by a Service at St. Thomas' Church. Attendees are requested to form up on Avon Approach from 09:30 hours. Once the Church Service is complete the Parade will reform and return to the Guildhall Square for the Royal British Legion address from the Guildhall steps before being dismissed at approximately 12:45 hours.
The Royal British Legion have declined our request to increase our allocation for the RBL Cenotaph Parade in Whitehall this year from 25 to our usual 30 places. This is a direct consequence of the fact that only 18 members logged on to the RBL website in 2024 to claim their tickets. This is particularly unfortunate since this year we have had 35 applicants, so presently we have 10 names on our reserve list.
Earlier this month the Daily Telegraph published a long article about the Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre which killed 29 Service and RUC security personnel on 2 June 1994. The link to the article is below:
https://mcusercontent.com/385b795f557d0f1ce0b00b7b6/files/83c37eb7-1bf3-eb3b-2d9a-029f94ee608c/In_1994_29_men_died_when_an_RAF_Chinook_crashed._This_is_how_the_MoD_hid_the_truth.pdf
Major Clyde Aylin, who served with 1st Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment in Cyprus during 1956 - 59, attended the Cyprus Veterans Memorial Service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on 24 August. He writes that "it was held to remember the 371 soldiers who died in this extraordinary war on two fronts - like elsewhere. On the one hand the Eoka Ennosis campaign by the Greek Cypriots and on the other hand keeping the Greek and Turkish Cypriots from killing one another. We additionally took part in riot control in Nicosia."
The Association has been informed of the death on 21 March 2025 in hospital in Bath of Montague John Thomas Dermott, known as Monty, aged 90 years. Our records show Mr Dermott as being born in 1932 but his family's account places his birth date in 1935.
He joined the Army at The Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion in Plumer Barracks, Plymouth and served with 4th Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment before transferring to 1st Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment.
In the 1950s he served with 1 R. Berks in both Cyprus and the Canal Zone during the 1956 Suez operation. Mr Dermott leaves his widow, Brenda, grandchildren Stacey and Scott and 4 great grandchildren. His daughter Sandra pre-deceased him.
Mr Spurway's family will be holding a small private funeral to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations to the Northern Ireland Marie Curie. If anyone would like to share photos and stories of Mark with his family, they are asked to please message his children at:
Read more
Peter was born in 1947 into a military family then based in Germany. His early childhood was spent overseas, first in Germany and later in Burma, before the family eventually settled back in England. He was educated at St Alfred’s School, Wantage, and The Royal Liberty School, in Romford where he was a keen member of the Combined Cadet Force and where his ambition to pursue a military career first took root. From there he went on to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Living History Festival Brings the Past to Life at The Rifles Museum
The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum welcomed nearly 800 visitors on the weekend of 9th and 10th August for its annual Living History Festival. The event proved to be a huge success, raising almost £3,000 to support the museum and its work.
The Gloucestershire Regiment’s story in Burma was marked by determination, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of unforgiving conditions. The 1st Battalion, stationed in Burma before the Japanese invasion of 1942, bore the brunt of the enemy’s rapid advance. At Taukkyan, Letpadan and Paungde, the battalion fought desperate rearguard actions, often outnumbered and cut off.
Every day is a learning day!
Are you aware that there is a 'Rifleman's Handbook'?
If not enrol on Swift and head to - https://theriflesnetwork.co.uk/media_center/file/a095aeba-adf4-462c-bb86-d0bf85fc2e27 to download a copy.
It is a weighty tome and requires a stiff G&T next to you before you settle down for a read.
Also be aware of the website at 12-11 https://www.therifles.co.uk/, (which takes you to a British Indies Rock band)!
I have been advised by the Rifles Regimental Secretary (Col Peter Balls) that it is undergoing a re-write.
We have tried hard this year to notify you of as many events across the globe that Association members may be interested in.
Hello you lovely people.
This coming Friday the 29th will be the next
Swindon Coffee meet.
Usual venue McKenzies in Wood Street, beginning at 09:30 to 10:00ish. If your not holidaying, babysitting, gardening or sunbathing, why not pop along .
ONE FOR YOUR DIARY The next Back Badge Reunion meeting will be held on back badge day 21st March 2026 in the WOs & Sgts Mess Imjin barracks
Early bookings are advised as we accommodated 140 veterans last year and as it is actually being held on BB Day there is lots of interest from some faces from our past.
A calling notice will follow in the near future
yours Aye
Len
The 75th Anniversary Commemorative Lunch for the Battle of the Imjin River is scheduled to take place at Taunton Rugby Football Club, Veritas Park, Hyde Lane, Bathpool, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8BU on Sunday, the 10th of May 2026 at 1200hrs for 1245hrs. This later-than-usual date is to avoid clashing with other national and international events taking place in April. We hope to make this the best Imjin Lunch event, befitting this 75th Anniversary, and we are planning special activities to mark this historic milestone.
The two-course carvery & dessert menu, including tea & coffee, is £20 per person, and whilst this is the first increase in three years, it is still extremely good value, thanks to being generously discounted by the Association. Those who have been to this venue are familiar with the great food, friendly staff, comfortable surroundings, excellent ambience, and, of course, good company. There are disabled facilities, including a lift to the Hyde Suite. The venue is easy to find, just off J25 M5 and has parking for 250 cars. There will also be a raffle held after lunch, so please bring along a suitable gift.
This year, to allow maximum attendance and other functionality, all tables will be standard round 10-seaters. Block bookings are still available, but as detailed above, limited to 10 per table. Due to the continued success of this event, early booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment; we have been fully booked for the last three years. To register your interest, please visit the following link to the Association Web Page which contains all the information on how to apply and pay for your tickets:
The RGBW Regimental Association - The Imjin Lunch
If you experience difficulties using the web page, please contact
If you have any questions about the event, please contact:
We look forward to seeing all our many friends in 2026 for the 75th Anniversary Imjin Lunch
Yours aye
Martin Talling
County Chairman Somerset
Join us for a powerful and moving evening of commemoration as Wells Cathedral hosts the Somerset Festival of Remembrance 2025, a one-off event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. This is likely to be one of the very last occasions on which veterans who took part might be present. Organised by Somerset County Royal British Legion, this unique occasion will honour the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of Somerset’s people at home and abroad during World War II. The evening will feature music, stories, and ceremony, including performances by the Central Band of the Royal British Legion and the Yeovilton Military Wives Choir, contributions from the County's cadet forces and tributes from veterans and civic leaders. Highlights include parading the Somerset Book of Honour, an Act of Remembrance with poppy drop, and a multi-themed programme tracing Somerset’s wartime experience from mobilisation to liberation and legacy. The evening will be compered by former BBC broadcasters Clinton Rogers DL and Ali Vowles DL. This is a community-centred and inclusive event, both solemn and uplifting, and open to all. Early booking is advised. All proceeds support the Royal British Legion and Wells Cathedral.
Tickets are now available via the following Eventbrite link: https://somerset-festival-of-remembrance-2025.eventbrite.co.uk/
