Bugle Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 43
7 RIFLES
THE PADRE PONDERS
Everybody loves to get something for
nothing, particularly if that gift comes
embossed with the capbadge of your
regiment. After the excitement of Christmas,
the damp and cold of the New Year can
sometimes feel a little bit miserable. Part of
the role of the Padre is to help bring some
positivity and moral with us wherever we
go. Often this can be in the form of a smile, a
kind word, a prayer and occasionally some
Haribo! But thanks to the great people at
the Naval and Military Bible Society, this
New Year I was able to add to my Padre’s
Moral kit some RIFLES badged, MTP New
Testaments.
When I took up my current role as Padre to
7 RIFLES, I was immediately impressed by the
‘Thinking Riflemen’. Always happy to talk and
always keen to ask questions, and not just
the easy questions. My experience has been
that the Thinking Rifleman really does think,
they really do enjoy learning new things and
learning new skills, and when it comes to faith
and spirituality, they have a lot of questions.
I was heartened to see that when offered, so
many Riflemen, from all ranks were keen to
get their hands on a RIFLES badged Testament
and how many then came back to me with
real questions. Great examples of Thinking
Riflemen.
As I write this, I am aware that in September
I will be moving on to a different role in the
Army. In my three and
a half years with The
Rifles, I have shared
tears and laughter,
failures and successes,
cold and wet along
with warmth and
sunshine, but
throughout it all I
have seen motivated,
professional, positive
and thoughtful
soldiers who truly
are Swift and Bold.
Capt Alex Ladds
Padre
The Padre, pondering
BE PART OF THE
NEXT CHAPTER
IN THE STORY OF
RIFLEMEN
The Rifleman’s Museum is creating a new
gallery to tell the story of The Rifles since its
formation in 2007, celebrating our history,
customs, ethos, and role. This will cover the
formation of The Rifles, Iraq, Afghanistan,
war with Russia and today’s regiment. It’s
also building a public archive and library for
reference and research into the Regiment.
With support from The National Lottery Heritage
Fund, the project is well underway, but the
Museum needs your help to complete it. Be part
of preserving the story of our Regiment for the
next generation and receive exclusive rewards
for your support.
Work is underway, but the Museum needs
your support to raise money.
Head over to SWIFT or The Rifles Museum
website to access the fundraising page.
Swift and Bold.
RIFLES The Bugle 43
