Royal GreenJackets JacketsAssociation Association TheThe Royal Green
Oxford Branch Report Since the last edition of Swift & Bold the period has been full of mixed emotions and events. The sadness felt by us of the passing of several of our WW2 Veterans from the 43rd & 52nd who were members off the branch. In particular Vernon Jones, Sam Langford, Albert Quainton and Henry Harris. All will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with their families. We have enjoyed our well attended Spring and Autumn lunches with our wives and partners at Edward Brookes Barracks, Abingdon ably organised by Andrea Isham and Phil Evans swelling our funds by running a raffle. Our thanks to them both and also to A Coy 7 Rifles who allow us the use of their facilities.The Vets lunch in May attracted 62 attendees who paid homage to our dwindling Band of WW2 Veterans. In July we had two separate visits to the BMW Mini Plant and were given a guided tour to see this iconic car being assembled. Those who attended were well looked after and could only be impressed by the German efficiency. BREXIT? No change at Cowley! It's ironic that the factory was where Spitfires were repaired during WW2. Branch members and guests again mustered at Major John Howard’s grave to remember those from the 52nd who took part in Pegasus Bridge on June 6th 1944. On 9th June a service was held at former RAF Harwell, now a science campus, the departure point of those who were among the first to land on D Day. wreaths were laid on a memorial stone. Several members of the branch made the pilgrimage to Winchester for the annual reunion to meet old friends and fellow Riflemen. I must say the Bakers Arms is getting a bit pricey! But a good day was had by all. The Turning of The Pages ceremonies in the Military Chapel in Christ Church Cathedral continue to attract many ex service men and women as well as families of those remembered and the general public. The November 11th service was incorporated into the Cathedrals Evensong and centred on the Armistice in 1918. The Cathedral was packed with representatives from the Military, Army Cadet Force, USAF Croughton and many members of the public. It was a very moving experience. Names were read from November 1914 and 1915 Cadet Cpl Sionainne Holiday from November 1916 and 1917 by Cpl Dave Phillips A Coy 7 Rifles and from November 1918 by 95 year old Reg Charles OBLI. Reg was awarded the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur that he wore with pride along with his campaign medals. Reg read the names with passion and clarity giving the feeling he knew these young men who fell as he remembered his own experiences in WW2. After the service Cadet Sinead Holiday laid a wreath in the Chapel for The Rifles County Colonel Mike Montague. The 239 College members who died in WW1 were also remembered. As were those from the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars. Swift & Bold Journal 2018
Swift & Bold Journal 2018
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