The Rifles and The Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire Regimental Association 
Issue: January 2018 

Formed from the following Antecedent Regiments
                   

Dear All 

Please find the January issue of The Rifles and The Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire Regimental Association Newsletter. 

There are proformas within this email, however due to technical issues there maybe difficulties printing them from this email. Therefore the following link will take you directly to the Association website with all the necessary forms for each reunion event for 2018. https://www.rgbw-association.org.uk/our-reunions/events-reunions

Can you please let me know if any details which are on this Newsletter needs to be amended.

Kind regards
Mike
Association Secretary

We apologise that there has been a gap of some 16 months since any Newsletter, but feel that it is only right and proper that all those who have mustered for the Last Post should be recorded officially by the Association. Our hanks go to the records being maintained by the Regimental websites, Lesley Bradshaw, Sue Nelmes and Mike Godwin. Please ensure that future notifications are passed on in a timely manner to Mike Godwin, the Association Secretary at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Last Post

Since the Last Association Newsletter October 2016

Name in Alphabetical Order

The Rifles & Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire

Regimental Association

Patrons

The Colonel in Chief: HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh KG KT OM GBE AC QSO, HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO

President

Brig (Retd) PE O’R-B Davidson-Houston CBE

Vice President

Brig (Retd) MS Vine OBE

Hon Vice President

General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue KCB CBE Major General RD Grist CB OBE

Chairman

Col  (Retd) MJ Cornwell OBE

Secretary and Treasurer

Secretary: Capt (Retd)  MK Godwin

Treasurer: Lt Col  (Retd) MJR Motum DL

Chaplain

The Venerable Alan Jeans

Trustees

Chairman Major General N Welch OBE

Brig (Retd) PE O’R-B Davidson-Houston CBE Brig CS Maconochie

Col (Retd) MS Lee-Browne CBE TD DL MA Col (Retd) MJ Cornwell OBE

Lt Col M Baker Lt Col C Grist

Lt Col SD Gray MBE MA Capt  (Retd) IG Spence

Executive Committee

The President

The Vice President The Chairman

Berkshire: Mr D Smith & Mr SP North

City & County of Bristol: Lt Col (Retd) JM Blundell Gloucestershire: Capt (Retd) LR Keeling & Mr RV Evans

Wiltshire: Lt Col (Retd) SJ Venus MBE & Capt (Retd) WH Sherman

Registered Charity No: 1038526

 

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

To all Association Members.

Firstly may I wish every one of you and your families a Happy and Prosperous 2018.

Many of your will realise that during 2017 our Association underwent a fundamental change in it governance and structure and at the same time the reduction in the Civil Service manning levels within the MOD. In essence we no long- er have the support so handsomely given by the two Regimental Offices at Gloucester and Salisbury. Perhaps more importantly we will miss the corporate knowledge of both Lesley Bradshaw and Sue Nelmes.

The day to day running of the Association now falls to those of us who have volunteered to assume key appointments within the Associa- tion.

Before going on to provide you with an insight into how we will conduct our business in fu- ture I wish to pay tribute to Colonel Stephen Oxlade MBE, for the outstanding contribution he has given for the past ten years. Col Ste- phen has been at the helm from the time of the creation of the Rifles and has provided the calm and reassuring leadership required as new Regiments are formed,  being  conscious of members fierce loyalties to their own cap badge whilst transitioning to the new. I sus- pect that for many the highlight of his tenure will be the Association's Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Loos at Windsor. So on everyone’s behalf, heartfelt thanks to Colonel Stephen for not only that splendid occasion but also for the past ten years of endeavour and leadership.

With the loss of the support from the two County Offices the Association is going to  have to rely completely on the work of volun- teers at all Levels.

Essentially each of the component counties from the Regimental Areas of the RGBW foot- fall will now assume responsibility for organis- ing and running the Reunion Events that

happen in Berkshire, Gloucestershire and Wilt- shire. So Gloucestershire Committee will run and organise the Back Badge Reunion at St Mary’s Lode, the Berkshire Committee will run with the Maiwand weekend reunion in Reading and the Wiltshire Committee will assume responsibility for organising the Salisbury and Devizes Reunion week ends Events like the Officers Chavenage Lunch and the RGBW Officers lunch at the Ward- robe will be run outside of the Association Gov- ernance though whatever support the Association is able to provide will be forthcoming.

Our biggest problem at the moment is ensuring we can communicate effectively with all our for- mer Regimental Members. In the past the Annual Newsletter was sent out by mail. As the then Cura- tor of the Museum at the Wardrobe I used to see the team drawn in By Lt Col John Venus to enve- lope the Newsletters whilst the museum attendant made numerous return journeys to the post office with a laden sack trolley. With the advent of IT we have progressed to electronic distribution, howev- er one point has becoming glaringly obvious as we have assumed the data base of the member- ship. If the data is correct we have a data base of some 11,000 former Regimental Members but less than 1,900 email addresses. So I will be ask- ing Branches to ensure that those Local Branch Members who do not use computers are given hard copies of the Calling Notices for the Reun- ions Events so that they are able to bid for a place and we can hopefully increase the numbers at- tending and reverse the trend of a drop in num- bers in 2017 due I suspect to no Newsletter going out.

Whilst this Newssheet is brief and to the point the aim is to produce a monthly one to allow Branches to post news and reports of future and recent Events so please pass on any input to the Secretary or Chairman. 

 

REUNIONS

GLOUCESTERSHIRE REUNION SATURDAY 24^th MARCH 2018

The 2018 Rifles and RGBW Gloucestershire Reunion will be held at St. Mary De Lode Church, Archdeacon Street (off lower Westgate Street), Gloucester GL1 2QT, followed by a Reunion lunch at Dr Fosters located in the Gloucester Docks Complex.

Further details will become available on the following websites, https://www.rgbw-association.org.uk & http://www.glosters.org/latest.htm

DEVIZES REUNION SUNDAY 3^rd JUNE 2018

The Devizes Reunion will be held in Devizes on Sunday 3^rd June 2018. 

Timing are as follows:

• •    Gather in the Market Square at 1200 hrs.
• •    Church Service in St Johns Church, Long Street Devizes at 1215hrs.
• •    Lunch in the Devizes Town Hall.  Tickets ___________£15 per person.
• •    Please complete the proforma and return with a stamped address envelope to:

Mr D Fielding

Wiltshire County Secretary 

11 Kempsfield

Devizes

Wiltshire 

SN10 5 AJ

SALISBURY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7^TH & SUNDAY 8^TH JULY 2018

The 2018 Salisbury Reunion Dinner will be held again at the South Wiltshire Golf Club. The Drumhead Service, Parade and Lunch will take place on Sunday 8^th at the Wardrobe. All members of the Regimental Association and former Regiments Old Comrade Associations are cordially invited to attend with their families and guest. 

The outline programme is as follows:

• •    Saturday 7^th July Reception and bar at 1830hrs
• •    Dinner and Dance at the South Wilts Golf Club 1900hrs
• •    The Reunion Dinner tickets will cost £21.00 per person.
• •    Sunday 8^th July Drumhead Service in the Wardrobe Gardens, you are requested to be seated by 1115hrs
• •    March Past 1215hrs around the Cathedral Close
• •    Pre- lunch drinks 1230hrs
• •    Lunch 1300hrs at a cost of £15.00 per person.

Please complete the proforma and return with a stamped addressed envelope to the Wiltshire County Secretary, Mr D Fielding.

READING MAIWAND REUNION SATURDAY 21^ST JULY 2018

MAIWAND Reading Reunion will take place on Saturday 21^st July 2018.

The outline of the programme is as follows:

• •    Memorial Service at the Cenotaph
• •    March Past
• •    Two course lunch in the Dragon Club, please note this is a cash bar.
• •    Static Display by 7 Rifles – TBC
• •    Musical event – TBC

Most of all come along and meet up with your old comrades and Friends.

Please support your Association.

Please complete the proforma and return with a stamped address envelope to:

            Mr P J Richens

            55 Boxalls Lane

            Aldershot

            Hampshire

            GU11 3QL

FEROZESHAH COMMEMORATION SUNDAY 2^ND DECEMBER 2018

The Commemoration of the Battle of Ferozeshah will be held in Devizes on the 2^nd December 2018.

• •    Meet at the Wyvern Club, 51a Church Walk SN10 3AA at 1230hrs
• •    Church Service at St James Church 1330hrs
• •    A Curry Lunch will be available at the Wyvern Club after the service.

Please complete the proforma and send to:

            Norman Minty

            6 Elm Tree Close
            Devizes

            Wiltshire

            SN10 3ER

2018 CALENDAR

January

2018 CALENDAR

Saturday 27    Rifles and RGBW Association 2017 AGM

February

59-94 DERR Officer’s Lunch

Tbc    Regimental Association Committee Meeting

March

Thu 01    Illustrious Remnants (Wiltshire) Luncheon— The Wardrobe

Saturday 24    Annual Back Badge Day St Mary Lode Church, then Lunch at Dr Fosters.

April

Tba    Informal Back Badge Luncheon—London

May

Sunday 20    Somerset Branch Imjin Lunch—Taunton

June

Sunday 03    The Rifles & RGBW Regimental Association Reunion– Devizes

July

Saturday 07    RGBW Officer’s Club Luncheon Salisbury—The Wardrobe Saturday 07    RGBW Association Reunion Salisbury—South Wilts Golf Club Sunday 08    Rifles and RGBW Drumhead Service and Luncheon—The Wardrobe Saturday 21    Annual Maiwand Reunion - Brock Barracks Reading

September

thur  20  Wiltshire Officers Regimental Luncheon Club—The Wardrobe

Riffles and RGBW Association 2018 AGM preceded by Executive Committee meeting.

October

November

Band & Corps of Drums (Glosters) Reunion. Officers Back Badge Luncheon Chavenage

Thursday 08    Garden of Remembrance Westminster Abbey Sunday 11    Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph March Past

December

Sunday 02    Ferozeshah  Church Service and Luncheon—Devizes


 

BRANCH CONTACTS
 

STANDARD BEARERS
 

MJ Cornwell:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile : 07388224129

MK Godwin:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile: 07793002437

If you prefer to use written correspondence then address it to either the Chairman or Secretary at:

Rifles and RGBW Regimental Associaiton c/o The Wardrobe

58 The Close SALIBURY

Wiltshire SP1 2EX

STOP PRESS

Golf Society Meetings 2018

For details of the Back-Badge Golf Society meetings contact Roy Evans on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For details of the Farmers Boys Golf Society meetings contact John Marsh on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reunion Returns
https://www.rgbw-association.org.uk/our-reunions/events-reunions
 

DEVIZES REUNION SUNDAY 3rd JUNE 2018

From:         

Address:         

  Postcode:      

Telephone:      

E-mail:         

Former Regiment:         

I wish to attend the Devizes Reunion and the following events:

Reunion Lunch @ £15    tickets please

I enclose a cheque for £         payable to “RGBW Regimental Charities” Date:    Signed:      

Please complete the proforma and return it with a Stamped Addressed Envelope to:

Mr D. Fielding County Secretary Wiltshire

11 Kempsfield DEVIZES

Wilts

SN10 5AJ

No Later than Wednesday 23rd  March 201
 

SALISBURY REUNION

SATURDAY 7th & SUNDAY 8th  JULY 2018

From:         

Address:         

     Postcode:      

Telephone:      

E-mail:         

Former Regiment:         

To:    Mr D. Fielding

County Secretary Wiltshire
11 Kempsfield

DEVIZES

Wilts SN10 5AJ

I wish to attend the Salisbury Reunion and the following events: Annual Dinner @ £21 pp         tickets please

Please note there will be no transport provided to South Wilts Golf Course on Saturday Night

On Saturday Night at the Reunion Dinner I would like to sit with:         

Drumhead Service – The Wardrobe Gardens    Yes   /    No

March Past    Yes   /    No

Lunch @ £15 pp             Tickets

I enclose a cheque for £         payable to “RGBW Regimental Charities” Date:    Signed:      

Please complete the proforma and return it with a Stamped Addressed Envelope to:

Mr D. Fielding, County Secretary Wiltshire, 11 Kempsfield, DEVIZES, Wilts, SN10 5AJ No Later than Friday 29th  June 2018

 THE RIFLES & ROYAL GLOUCESTERSHIRE, BERKSHIRE AND WILTSHIRE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

 MAIWAND DAY AND REUNION SATURDAY 21st  JULY 2018

Please find below my application for tickets for the Maiwand Day 2018.

From: (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Rank)………………………………………………………………………………. Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………Post Code:……………….. Email:……………………………………………. Contact Tel Number:……………………………. Former Regiment: ……………………………………………………………………………………… I wish to attend the The Rifles/ RGBW Maiwand Day 2018.

The cost of tickets for this day will be £12.50 per person. I would like to purchase:……………… tickets.

I enclose a cheque for £……………….. Please make cheque payable to RGBW Association Reading. Are you a Branch Standard Bearer: YES/NO – Name of Branch: …………………………………… Names of persons attending: (1)……………………………………………………………..

(2)……………………………………………………………. (3)……………………………………………………………. (4)……………………………………………………………. (5)……………………………………………………………. (6)…………………………………………………………….

Vehicle Details:

Make: …………..………….. VRN: …………………….. Colour: ……………………………

Date:     Signed:     

Please complete this proforma and return with a stamped addressed envelope by Friday 29th June to: Mr P J Richens, 55 Boxalls Lane, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 3QL. Further info Tel: 01252 312967 - Mob: 07527 997392 - e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 

FEROZESHAH COMEMMORATION SERVICE 2018

 St James’ Church, Church Walk Devizes SN10 3AA

The Commemoration of the Battle of Ferozeshah will be held in Devizes on the 2nd December 2018.

Meet at The Wyvern Club, 51a Church Walk SN10 3AA at 1230hrs Church Service at St James’ Church 1330hrs.

A Curry Lunch will be available at the Wyvern Club after the service. Please indicate on your return if curry is not ac- ceptable. An alternative of chicken fricassee or a Ham or Tuna filled roll will be available only if requested (please state which).   Any special dietary requirements should also be mentioned

Name………………………………………………………….

I will be attending the Ferozeshah Commemoration and will require a total of ………places at £5.00 per person. (These charges are to cover a donation for the use of the Church. The hire of The Wyvern Club hall, kitchen and

one extra bar staff for the period).

Please send this return with your cheque made out N Minty to: N Minty

6 Elm Tree Close Devizes

Wiltshire SN10 3ER