Executive Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the Executive Committee will take place in Wednesday 21 November 2007 in The Rifles Durham Office commencing at 1400 hrs. 

The Agenda for the meeting will be despatched early November.

Light Infantry Reunion 2008

The 2008 Light Infantry Reunion will be held in Shrewsbury from Friday 13 June to Sunday 15 June.   

This a change from previous years and a note should be made in your diaries.

VC Parade - DLI Museum

This years VC Parade will take place at the DLI Museum on Sunday 4 November 2007. 

The ceremony will commence at 10.30 hrs and members should assemble no later than 1015 hrs. 

Those attending are requested to wear medals, blazers and berets where this is appropriate.

Field of Remembrance

Major Chris Lawton MBE will represent the Regiment at the Field of Remembrance in Westminster on Friday 8 November 2007.  

Any members attending are advised that there will be a Curry Lunch in the Rifles premises in Davies Street after the ceremony.

Freedom Parade/Laying Up of 2 LI Colours

The Laying up of the Colours of 2 LI in the Town Hall Durham and the Freedom Parade of The Rifles will take place on Sunday 17 February 2008 - please make a note of this. 

Full details will be supplied at a later date.

Service of Rededication & Remembrance

The Association has been invited by Fr Gary Nicholson, Secretary of the Coundon & Leeholme Memorial Restoration Appeal Committee to attend a Service of Rededication & Remembrance on Sunday 11 November 2007. 

Perhaps those branches in the Wear Valley may consider meeting at the Parish Church of St. James Coundon at 1000 hrs. 

There will be a procession down to the Memorial for the Service.  

Civic Dignitaries & Organisations will have the opportunity to lay wreaths in the usual manner during the Re-dedication.

A Free Celebration Buffet will be served in Leeholme Welfare Hall and Transport will be available for those who require it. 

If any Branch has a Bugler available Fr Gary would greatly appreciate it and can be reached by telephone on 01388 603312.   

It is appreciated that most Branches will have their own local ceremonies to attend, however, please consider this request. 

60th Anniversary Outing to Normandy

The London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2008.

As part of the celebrations 160 Normandy veterans will be taken in 80 London Taxis back to Normandy for a five day outing from 7th to 11th May 2008.

We have been offered two places but there may be more depending on interest. 

Any Branches who have Normandy Veterans as members should advise The Rifles Durham Office if any of these members wish to be considered.  

An early reply is necessary.

Cenotaph March Past 2007

Those Branches attending this years Remembrance Parade to the Cenotaph should note that tickets for Horse Guards are now held at The Rifles Office Durham. 

Would those Branches attending please re-confirm the numbers required?  

Will they also inform the office if any key figures or personalities with particular stories to tell are in their group? This information  has been requested by the BBC.

Programme 2008

All Branches will have received a letter regarding the 40th Anniversary of the Disbandment and the 250th Anniversary of the formation of the Regiment which takes place next year.  

As requested in Major Lawton’s letter please discuss this with your members and be prepared to represent your Branch’s views at the Executive Meeting scheduled for 21 November when a decision will be made.

Rifles Association Visit to 1 Rifles Chepstow

1 Rifles in Chepstow are kindly sponsoring a visit by all predecessor Regimental Associations with their wives to the Battalion on Saturday 1 December 2007.

The inline programme is as follows:   1000 - 1030 hrs - Arrive

                                                            1030 - 1300 hrs - A tour of the camp & equipment stands

                                                            1300 - 1500 hrs - All Ranks lunch and depart

Lunch and refreshments will be available on the day (Lunch approx £5.00).

Anyone interested in attending the above should contact The Rifles Durham Office by 20 November 2007.

Ken Lovell

Ken Lovell,  although seriously ill, attended the September Reunion. 

He asked me to thank all who made his visit a moving experience.

He wishes to thank everyone for their generosity and the warm welcome they gave him “ as only people from Durham can”. 

He thanks everyone who spoke to him and made him welcome in their company - it meant a lot to him.

Reporting Deaths

Would Branches when reporting the death of a member  endeavour to write an obituary and associate a photograph of the deceased?

It is so sad when members deaths are reported in The Bugle without either. 

This can be done by getting all that is required when the member is well and active.

Information Required

Does anyone remember a Sgt Albert Harry Barcock who served in 1 DLI and was taken prisoner at Cos?

He served from 1939 until 1947. 

If anyone does, please advise The Rifles Durham Office.

The office has a  request for the whereabouts of John (Geordie) Kennedy who served in the Infantry Boys Battalion and joined the DLI in 1953.  

He was evidently a runner and had a trial for Newcastle United.

He was a Wallsend lad and would be aged about 71 now.  

Any information to The Rifles Durham Office, please.

                          This message together with other similar search requests can be read by clicking the Message Board link

Guyzance Memorial

Bernard Seyburn has advised that the Guyzance Memorial may have to be moved to a higher position to avoid damage from vandals, fisherman or flooding.  

This may happen in 2008 and it will be necessary to rededicate.  

You will be kept informed.

Deaths

The following deaths have been reported:

                                                                                               John Patterson died 3 October 2007

                                                                                                             1 DLI 1960 - 1966

                                                                                                 Charles Turnbull aged 90 years

                                                                                                                  10 DLI 1940

                                                                                                          9 DLI 1944 to Berlin

  MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THE PREVIOUS BULLETIN CLICK ON THE LINK BUTTON BELOW

20 December 2008