The Rifles, Light Infantry, and KOYLI Memorial service and lunch was held on Saturday 2 October 2021 in the Lady Chapel of York Minster followed by lunch at York Racecourse. The annual memorial service was the second Regimental event held in Yorkshire since the easing of the pandemic restrictions.
The memorial service held in the Lady Chapel of York Minster was conducted by the padre of 8 Rifles, Reverend Ed Gorringe. During the service the names of Association members and Riflemen who passed during the pandemic lockdown were read out.
The day upheld ethos of the Rifles ‘5 Pillars’ with representation of each of the pillars.
Regular and Reservist Riflemen were represented by Brigadier Mark Wilson Rifles Colonel for the North and Midlands, Major R “Harry” Harrison OC HQ Coy 3 Rifles, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Laverick CO 8 Rifles, Major Daryl Dowdall Second in Command 8 Rifles, Captain Ben Clare OC Y Coy 8 Rifles and WO1 Danny Long RSM 8 Rifles.
Cadets were represented by Colonel Jim Greenlee and W01 Austin Butler the Commandant and RSM of Yorkshire N&W ACF with 4 adult instructors from E (Rifles) Coy.
Freedom towns and Communities were represented by
The Mayor of Leeds Councillor Asghar Khan.
The Mayor of Wakefield and Consort Councillor Tracey Austin and Mr Dwain Longley.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Kirklees Councillor Nigel Patrick and his wife Judith.
Retired Officers and Veterans from each of the Branches represented the Association.
The families of the fallen were represented by Ellen Scott and family member of Sjt Philip Scott late 3 Rifles
The amazing acoustics of York Minster added to a first class sounding of Last Post and Reveille by Buglers Craig Rosser and Phil Guy (video clip). Standards of the 3 Regiments were carried by Tim Humphreys, Rob Smith, and Colin Cranswick. Readings were given by Brigadier (Retd) Roger Preston and Maj Daryl Dowdall. The Kohima epitaph and 'Ode to the Fallen' (Binyon) were recited by Maxine Jordan and WO1 Austin Butler, RSM of Yorkshire N&W ACF.
During the lunch at York Racecourse Lt Colonel (Retd) Graham Whitmore welcomed our guests and introduced Brigadier Mark Wilson as the new President of the Association taking over from General Charlie Collins. Brigadier Mark thanked everyone for attending before giving an overview of The Rifles status and the future for The Rifles.
The day was a great success and good to get to together again as a Regimental family. Our thanks to the Rifles Regional Secretary (North) Bob Roberts and Maxine Jordan for their hard work organising the event.
Thanks to Russ Snood from Pontefract Branch for photographs of the day. The photographs are now published in the photo album section of the Association website here.