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/
 

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.

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.

The award comprises two pinned sterling silver emblems, one full size for formal remembrance events and a miniature version for less formal events. The reverse of the cross will be engraved with the name of the person in whose memory it is granted. The emblems will be accompanied by a memorial scroll.

The Chairman awarded Roger Smith, from the Severn Branch a president's Certificate of Appreciation at the recent Back Badge Day in Imjin Barracks and the citation from the Gloucester Branch stated;-

The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum - The Wardrobe

Help Us Bring History to Life at The Wardrobe

The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum, based at The Wardrobe in Salisbury, tells the remarkable story of our antecedent regiments—stretching over 250 years from their formation to the present-day Rifles. While the collection remains rich in history, the museum itself has seen little development in over four decades. Visitor expectations have evolved, and so have the tools we use to share stories.

Funeral Notices - Lt Col J M Greany, late Wiltshire Regiment and WO1 D A Bailey, late DERR

The funeral of Lt Col John Grealy, who has died on Guernsey aged 91 years, will be held at St, Stephen's Church, Les Gravers, St. Peter Port, Guernsey at 14:00 hours on Thursday 24 April 2025.

The funeral of ex-WO1 Doug Bailey, late DERR, will be held at St. Nicholas' Church, High Street, Bromham Wiltshire, SN15 2EU at 14:00 hours on Tuesday 22 April 2025, followed by internment at the Drove Lane Cemetary at Easterton, Nr. Market Lavington, Wiltshire.

Obituaries for both Col Grealy and Mr Bailey will appear in the April edition of the Association newsletter.

Kind regards,

Steven Bowkett

Secretary
The RGBW and Rifles Regimental Association

As Summer fades away and Autumn races in like a thoroughbred racehorse I have been reflecting upon the role of the Association and its direction of travel.

I have now been the Chairman for a while and I am keen to know if the Association is delivering what the members want. To date I have not received any suggestions, or feedback on either activities or the newsletter, so I can only assume that all is well and no change is needed.

We are slowly starting to learn more about how we can better use Mailchimp and I am happy to advise that both museums now have access to it and that 2025 will see us working closer to ensure we communicate a consistent message regarding how the Association, the Soldiers of Gloster Museum and  the Rifles, Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum will work more closely. Especially when it comes to letting Association Members know about forthcoming events.

Mailchimp

I have looked at the statistics for the last few Newsletters/Funeral Notices and less than 50% of the e-mails sent out are never opened. Is this because:

1. We have the incorrect details for recipients and e-mails are no longer used?
2. The Newsletter/Funeral Notices do not contain information that people want to read?
3. Something else?

No 1 - Is very easy, we can update the database to not send e-mails to those who do not open them, but by far the best way is to ask everyone to keep their details up to date (see below).

No 2 - This can be changed very easily by asking you to let either myself, or Steven know what you wish to be included/excluded.

No 3 - Please let myself or Steven know.

Keeping your details up to date

At the bottom of every Newsletter/e-mail from the Association you will see a link - 'update subscription preferences'

if you click on the link it will allow you to make sure that the information held by the Association is correct and up to date.

If you unsubscribe we cannot send any Newsletters to you and you will need to re-register to receive them again!

Register on the Association website and Rifles Swift

We also need everyone to register on the Association website at - https://www.rgbw-association.org.uk/, or use the QR code below:

RGBW QR Code

Please also join the RIFLES Network at - https://theriflesnetwork.co.uk/?from=logout, or use the QR code below. Swift is also available as a very handy App for your smartphone, to keep you in touch with what is happening. This is the central repository for all welfare maters and guidance.

Swift QR Code

Please feel free to drop me an e-mail at - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions or suggestions.