Bugle Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 67
SOUTH WEST
DEVONSHIRE AND DORSET REGIMENT
Regimental Reunion
A successful Regimental Reunion took
place in May in Exeter, with the AGM
hearing a proposal to hold the 2028
Reunion in Plymouth. Also discussed is a
trip to the National Memorial Arboretum in
commemoration of the anniversary of the
installation of our Memorial. Following the
AGM a Drumhead service took place and
two President’s Awards were presented to
Ian Hislop and Shane Neill and a Chairman’s
Award was also presented to Colin Horn.
Page Turning –
Exeter Cathedral
Our monthly Page Turning in the
Chapel at Exeter Cathedral is held
on the first Friday of the month at
11.00am.
Governor’s Review at
Royal Hospital Chelsea
Lt Col Bill Sharpe MBE was invited to the
Governor’s Review with his wife. Both very
proud to attend and meet our three IPs again.
Ken Haye MBE,
Legion d’Honneur
‘A 100-year-old veteran of the Dorset
Regiment, Ken attended and took
part in the 82nd anniversary of the D
Day landings at the British Normandy
Memorial on 6 Jun 2026. 98 additional
names have been added to the
memorial since it was opened.
Ken said “To most people coming
here they’re just a series of names. To
people like myself, they’re people, I
can see their faces.”
Semper Fidelis.
BATTLEFIELD TOUR
Our latest battlefield tour saw visits to
The Devonshire Regimental Cemetery,
The Dorset Regimental Cemetery,
Ypres and Northern France and Low
Countries.Our Standard Bearers
proudly displayed their colours during
the service at the Menin Gate and laid
wreaths. 42 members attended and a
detailed history of each Memorial and
Cemetery were provided.
Sherborne Abbey
Our monthly Page Turning at Sherborne
Abbey is held on the second Friday of the
month at 11.00am. Two buglers from the
Rifles are always present to play the Last
Post as a mark of respect.
Funerals
Too many funerals have been represented
by our stalwart Standard Bearers with due
respect paid to those who have passed on.
Our minibus is used on a constant basis to
ensure as many members as possible can
attend.
TORBAY BATON OF HOPE –
“ONE BREATH, ONE STEP,
ONE DAY AT A TIME!”
On the back of National Suicide Day (10 September), The Baton
of Hope (which is the largest Suicide Prevention initiative in
the UK) passed through The Rifles Garden, Torbay. This gave
an opportunity for Riflemen and their families affected by
suicide to come together.
The Regiment has lost far too many great Riflemen to suicide.
Keep connected and talk with your friends, and if in crisis, reach
out.
The Always a Rifleman Programme (AARP) delivers support
in the first few hours of an emerging crisis and paves the way to
wellness. It is proven to save lives. During the most challenging
real-life problems, it provides face-to-face coaching, mentoring
and mental health support. For veterans and their dependants
of The Rifles or antecedent regiments, this is a dedicated
service available 24/7.
Call now: 0800 470 0941
RIFLES The Bugle 67
