The Royal Green Jackets Association
The North West Branch paraded 25 members on the day. This included our President Sean McEvoy, Vice President Ken Potter, Chairman Dave Judge, Secretary Mark Lydiat, Treasurer Ray Gerrard and Entertainments officer Stu Donoghue
A huge thank you to the Central England Branch RGJ Association for organising the events at the Arboretum and the excellent lunch and drinks at the Litchfield Rugby Club 2019 also the North West Branch hold their annual Riflemen’s Dinner which continues to go from strength to strength with all 120 places filled and more places requested. The evening started at 17’00hrs with a meet and greet seating at 1830hrs , and for the diehards drinks till 02.00hrs approximately in the adjacent hotel bar and SGT Peppers . For those that are not aware the venue has now moved to a more prestigious location this being the Hard Days Night Hotel situated in the centre of Liverpool and adjacent to the worldfamous Matthew Street
It was with great pride that we formed up for the march on with approximately 200 RGJ veterans which consisted of Officer’s and other ranks. We were by far the biggest contingent on parade. Behind us were the Light Infantry and behind them the Rifles. After all the other cap badges had marched on to Parade to the NI Memorial. The Light Division led by the Bugle Association of the Light Division marched on at Regimental Pace General Sir Robert Pascoe KCB MBE, the President of the NIVA, led the Service of Remembrance, General Pascoe was Ken’s first company commander on joining 2Green Jacket’s (KRRC) in Malaysia in 1965
The guest speaker for the evening was none other than are very own General Sir Patrick Saunders
After the central service each cap badge marched off parade to their own Regimental’s Memorial and their own service of remembrance and wreath laying. Each Rifleman who had lost their life as a result of the NI troubles were read out
Having spent approximately 7years in NI with the UDR and RGJ, I found this to be very emotional but extremely important day Both regiments had far too many people killed and injured and we must never forget them 41
