Bugle Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 58
SOUTH
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
DONATION TO RIFLES BENEVOLENT TRUST
– FREEMASONS’ HALL LONDON
The superb Art Deco interior of the Freemasons’ Hall provided the venue for a donation
from all veterans’ Royal Crown Lodge to our Trust. Presenting the cheque were RIFLES
veterans Jamie Price and Tony Norton. Bugle Major Jake Pugsley was on hand to deliver a
superb Last Post in commemoration of fallen lodge members.
Sir John Moore
Commemoration –
St Paul’s Cathedral,
London
The National Transition Event (NTE) – Silverstone
NTE’s aim is to support Service
Leavers, Veterans, Reservists, Cadets
and their Families, with employment
opportunities. The iconic Silverstone
GP circuit hosts this annual event and
is backed by industry, the third sector
(charity and volunteer work), the MOD
and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs,
ensuring a wide range of employment
and networking opportunities.
Baz Melia and Tommy Meggison were on
hand with some RIFLES veterans to explore
the opportunities available. Lt Col Michael
Hrycak (CO 7 RIFLES) was present with his
team, engaging with service leavers, as well
as his wife, Johanna Hrycak, who organises
a great deal of valuable veteran support
events across the region.
It was also great to see veteran Chris
Macdonald hosting one of the stands
offering employment opportunities with AWE;
he is currently a CSjt with 7 RIFLES. No doubt,
he can offer some sound advice to service
leavers looking to make the transition.
The magnificent surroundings of St
Paul’s Cathedral has been home to
the memorial of Sir John Moore since
1815 (he was killed and buried at
Corunna, Spain, 16th January 1809).
Lt Col John McEwing (Honorary
Colonel, City of London) organised
this well attended and excellent
commemoration, with General Sir
Bob Pascoe KCB MBE being the
senior Rifleman in attendance.
The senior serving Rifleman was
Brigadier Peter Baines OBE with
buglers coming from 1 and 5
RIFLES but are currently based at
Winchester.
TURNING OF THE PAGES – ST GEORGE’S
CHURCH, HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON
The Church is steeped in regimental history
and every two months, a select number
names of the Fallen from both World Wars
and subsequent conflicts, are read out from
the Roll of Honour book. This is a poignant
mark of respect, and that day was the turn
to read out a number of RIFLES Fallen,
followed by the Last Post.
The church is never full, and members
of the public can come and go during the
reading, but this is never about attendance, it
is all about remembering. Other readings are
carried out in London, Winchester and Oxford
for the London & and South East region.
58 RIFLES The Bugle
