The Rifles Regional Secretary North and Midlands, Capt Bob Roberts, and the Association Secretary, Colin Cranswick, attended an event in Leeds Civic Centre Hall on 15 Jan 18 celebrating the commitment and sacrifices during WWI of Muslim commonwealth soldiers. The event which was attended by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and the Lord Mayor of Leeds along with, representatives of: the Muslim community; all 3 branches the armed forces; the Chief Constable, was opened by a parade of Royal British Legion Standards and the KOYLI Standard.
It was a fitting venue to parade the KOYLI Standard given that within the room, that has plaques recognising the various military units that Leeds is associated with, there are items in one place which recognise of our 3 Regiments. Around the walls of the room there is: a large tableau commemorating the granting of the Freedom of the City to the KOYLI in 1945; the framed Colours of the 8th Battalion The Light Infantry; a plaque to commemorate the transfer of the Freedom the City to the Rifles from the Light Infantry. Well done to the City of Leeds for maintaining the Cities support not only to our Regiments but the Armed Forces as a whole.
Included in the photos below of the plaques to our 3 Regiments is a press cutting from the Yorkshire Evening Post show the KOYLI 1945 Freedom Parade and the photograph used in the press cutting.
