Northern Ireland Veteran’s Ser vice of R emembrance at the NaƟ onal Arboretum, Staff orshire

NORTHERN IRELAND VETERAN’S SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AT THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM, STAFFORSHIRE

This annual event was held on Saturday 19th September at the NMA, Alrewas, Stafforshire which is organised by the NIVA and many regiments take part including a contingent of Royal Green Jackets. I drove up from Surrey on the day before and booked into an excellent B & B close by recommended by our Central England Branch. Saturday dawned and once the early morning mist had burnt off it was a beautiful hot sunny day for a change.

The format of the day commences with a short chapel service at 1130hrs which is so overcrowded that it is impossible to fi nd a seat. The main event commences at 1215hrs where we all form up in our regiments for a quarter mile march down one of the main avenues where prayers, short Service of Remembrance with Light Division Buglers is held by the NI Memorial and a march back again. Being Green Jackets we are the last in line along with the Light Infantry in front of us. Our speed of march does cause some additional admin issues as expected!! Being the only offi cer present I was ordered by our Central England Branch ‘well, Simon, you better lead from the front’- a surprise and bit out of practice I thought. However we marched down in true GJ style as per attached photograph to everyone’s approval. On being fallen out for the Service one of the rifl emen came up to me and said ‘think you might need this for the return march, Simon, to ensure you have enough umph to get us back’ whilst offering me a tipple of brandy from his hip fl ask which i gladly accepted!! Green Jackets do not change? The Service with a padre was moving and a

reminder to us all of the considerable involvement by the army as a whole and by our Regiment especially. Thoughts naturally went out to the bereaved and their families. As usual the Light Division buglers were excellent in their smart attire. The return march back followed to applause from the general public before being fallen out to mingle with friends and to have refreshments etc. But my legs did tell me the following day I had been marching quickly for a change!!

I would however like to take this opportunity to mention two issues. One is to thank our CE Branch for all the work they undertake on behalf of the RGJA as a whole – this NMA Service/Parade, our Green Jackets Memorial which is going to be improved with better base paving slabs, liaison with the NMA over construction of a wheel chair access path following pending improved drainage works and Greenstock 2015 which was an outstanding success.

Secondly, a plea to our offi cer contingent to attend as the time involved at NMA is not more than three and half hours maximum and especially for those who live within easy striking distance of the NMA. The rifl emen do very much value your presence and the lack of offi cer support is frequently mentioned.

In summary an excellent day all round which I much enjoyed amidst old friends with all the banter that ensued!!

FAR IN ADVANCE

THE PENINSULAR WAR PAINTINGS OF CHRISTA HOOK

With the passage of more than another century, we still have the writings of the veterans to illuminate the period; and through the remarkable genius of Christa Hook, we have a visual record that is surely as accurate as we can approach through the mists of time, a sight of their experiences akin to the fleeting glimpses of the field seen by Wellington’s men through the smoke of battle. (From Philip Haythornthwaite's Introduction to the book). Over 20 outstanding images of RGJ antecedent regiments including previously-unportrayed scenes. This 160 page lavishly illustrated book with foreword by Peter Snow is available from 7 December 2015. First 200 sold signed by the artist.

Price £15 * (plus P&P)

Order from www.riflesdirect.com

Also available from the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum.