australian Branch news from chris mcdonald - camp bastion
THE REGIMENTAL SHOP OF THE RIFLES We can Provide RGJRA Members with OBLI/KRRC/RB/RGJ Cap Badges, Cufflinks, Tie Slides, Lapel Pins, Ties, Umbrellas, Rifle Green Berets, RGJ Hat Ribbon, RGJ Plaques, Blazers, Book ‘Swift & Bold’ View & order online at: www.riflesdirect.com or telephone 0845 6434584.
No, it‘s not a case of writers block!, I have been incapacitated in that I had to have surgery on my back, and was unable to do very much, then found myself in Camp Bastion Afghanistan with limited internet. Despite that, may I assure you that the Branch is very much still alive and kicking. Perth members met up for Re-membrance Day (7th November) this year, which I was able to attend before flying back to Afghanistan where I was present on the remembrance day ceremony on November 14th at Camp Bastion, Prince William was also in attendance but he is not a Branch member yet. We have been joined by a few new ex Green Jackets recently, namely, John Robins 1 RGJ, (living in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)) David Evans 3 & 2 RGJ & 4 Rifles (Living in Queensland), Alan Sy-mons
2 RGJ (living in Victoria) and Dean Sheerin 3 & 2 RGJ now living in New Zealand. This means we now have our first member that has served with the new Rifles Regiment, I knew it wouldn‘t take long! Branch membership now stands at 48 in Australia and NZ with 19 affiliated members in the UK. Recently I opened a Branch page on Facebook, seeing as the whole world and his dog now lives on the internet, this is a great tool to find old friends and within days of opening the page there were 478 people added all ex RGJ. In theory (kind of) that makes the Australian Branch of the Association almost up to a full Battalion strength!! In any case if you look for the RGJ Assoc Australasian Branch on Facebook, you may find some people you served with, some of which are in Australia, and obviously the chat function on Facebook allows you
The North East Branch has been extremely busy during the course of this year, having two official meetings and nine events in ten months. These events covered The Rifles Freedom Marchesthroughouttheregion,culminatinginthebiggestturnoutinSunderland and a Civic reception attended by theBranchheldattheStadiumofLight (modesty prevents me from saying whoreconnoitredthebarfirst). On the 11th September, a small contingent from the North East Branch attended the Northern Ireland Veteran`s DayparadeattheArboretuminStaffordshiretolayawreathonbehalfoftheRGJ Association. MidSeptemberarrivedandonthe17th acharityfunctionwasheldatalocalbar called “The Shack” in Boldon, Tyne and Wear. This evening was a huge success
and the Branch managed to raise a staggering £12,366.69 for “Help the Heroes” charity. Well done to all that attended and made the evening such a success. A personal letter of thanks and a Certificate for Fundraising Achievement was received from Bryn Parry, the Co-founder of Help for HeroesandaformerRifleman. JustpriortoRemembranceweekend, HRH the Duke of Kent arrived in Sunderland to officially lay the wreath of remembrance in the Minster. He was met by a small group of Rfn and chatted with them after the official church parade Our next major event of the year was the Remembrance Eve function. Held on the Saturday 13th November, where a further marvellous sum of money was raised for the “Rifles
to have a chat with one of your old mates. Just be careful what info you share on a social network. After 10 years of trying every available option to find a working bugle for the Branch ceremonial occasions, so that one of our ex Buglers could blow it and create RGJ type noises, Keith Kneller one of our New South Wales members recently emigrated to Australia and has donated a Bugle which I have just taken delivery of. Just like a number 11 bus that you may have waited for at the top of Shooters Hill in Woolwich, two have turned up in rapid succession, as our UK assistant secretary Ron Frampton also located a Bugle with the kind assistance of Steve Flavin complete with Cords which is currently in the mail to me. So after many years of fruitless searching, we now have two bugles!
Chris Mcdonald
North East Branch news from Malcolm Donnison
The North East Branch on parade , Remembrance Sunday 14 November 2010
The North East branch group with their President Brigadier Nick Prideaux
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Care 4 Casualties” charity, totalling £2,346.63p. The following morning, led by Brigadier Nick Prideaux, we paraded from SunderlandCivicCentretotheCenotaph for the Remembrance Service led by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles. Numbering 75 on parade, our numbers were increased by a group of Rfn from the Midlands branch who weweredelightedtowelcome. After a very successful, sombre, parade, we all retired to the Pulman Lodgeforameal,afewbeersandlots of lamp swinging andAsbachtasting. Many stories were swapped and it was a fitting end to a really successful weekend. Christmas best wishes to all.
M Donnison
