Australian Branch

australian Branch news from chris mcdonald - camp bastion 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 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 Bu gle 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 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.

N orth East Branch news from M alcolm Donnison

The North East Branch on parade , Remembrance Sunday 14 November 2010

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 Marches throughout the region, culminating in the biggest turn out in Sunderland and a Civic reception attended by the Branch held at the Stadium of Light (modesty prevents me from saying who reconnoitred the bar first). On the 11th September, a small contingent from the North East Branch attended the Northern Ireland Veteran`s Day parade at the Arboretum in Staffordshire to lay a wreath on behalf of the RGJ Association. Mid September arrived and on the 17th a charity function was held at a local bar 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 Heroes and a former Rifleman. Just prior to Remembrance weekend, 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 Care 4 Casualties” charity, totalling £2,346.63p. The following morning, led by Brigadier Nick Prideaux, we paraded from Sunderland Civic Centre to the Cenotaph 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 we were delighted to welcome. After a very successful, sombre, parade, we all retired to the Pulman Lodge for a meal, a few beers and lots of lamp swinging and Asbach tasting. Many stories were swapped and it was a fitting end to a really successful weekend. Christmas best wishes to all. M Donnison