Earlier this Brig (Retd) Roger Preston CBE stood down as a trustee of The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Regimental Trust bringing an end to his long and distinguished service to the association.
On Minden Day he was presented with a certificate of recognition for services to the association, by the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, in front of the KOYLI statue he unveiled in 2018 and in the presence of many former officers and soldiers with whom he served and commanded.
Trustees, and members of the Retired Officers Club, Association Branches, and clubs donated to the purchase of a custom-built bench which has now been delivered and installed in the garden of Roger and Polly.
Brig Roger has sent the following message of thanks:
Thank you so much for arranging the presentation of a magnificent garden bench as part of the Minden Day celebrations. Polly and I are thrilled with it and have chosen a site for it in the garden, near the house, where we shall sit on it very regularly.
I know that a large number of friends have contributed to it. My problem is that I do not know who they are so I should be grateful if you could circulate this email as you think appropriate. David, can I leave it to you to thank members of the Association as you think best. Again, I do not know who has been involved but am most grateful.
Having received the certificate from the Lord Lieutenant on Minden Day and a farewell lunch at the last trustees meeting, I really was not expecting anything else and was totally overwhelmed, and I do want to thank everyone who has contributed.
I have been involved in KOYLI affairs in different ways ever since leaving the army in 1986. It has been a great pleasure to help and take part in the various plans and events.
Over the coming months, I hope I shall see many of you and be able to thank you in person. Once again, very many thanks to all.
Yours sincerely,
Roger
R St C Preston