Association members will be saddened to hear of the death of Mr Maurice Green who served with 1 DERR during 1960 - 1982 and thereafter on the Long Service List in Hohne, West Germany.

Mr Green’s funeral will take place on Friday 17 July 2026 at 14:30 hours at the Gilrose Crematorium, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QG.  His family will welcome attendance by any Old Comrades.  

The Association extends its condolences to his children, David, Carol and Steven, and to his 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.  Mr Green’s wife of 61 years, Janet, predeceased him.

Kind regards,

Steven Bowkett

Secretary
The RGBW and Rifles Regimental Association

At the annual Association Annual General Meeting at Brock Barracks on 30 May 2026, Brigadier P E-O’R-B Davidson-Houston CBE DL announced that he was standing down as President of the Association and handing over with immediate effect to Major General C E D Grist OBE who is currently serving in Poland as the Deputy Commander Manuever of the US Army V Corps.

The Chairman thanked Brigadier Davidson-Houston for steering the Association for the past, sometimes turbulent, 19 years and seconded a proposal that he should be asked to become Honorary Vice-President of the Association.  The proposal was unanimously approved by the AGM and Brigadier Davidson-Houston kindly agreed.

General Grist is, himself, ex RGBW and commanded 1 Rifles.  He is the son of Major General R D Grist CB CBE who commanded 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment and was the first President of our Association.  He is already Chairman of the Association Management Board and we very much welcome his additional appointment as our President.

Dear Association Members,

I am delighted to assume duties as President of the Association. I look forward to working for you all. I also want to thank Brigadier Patrick Davidson-Houston for his remarkable service as President, a tenure of 20 years!  I am thrilled he is staying on as a Honorary Vice-President.

Best regards,

Charlie Grist

Members can now upload photos that they might feel might be of interest to other members.

So how is this done? 1st log into the website, then navigate to the "Members Portal" in the top menu there you will find an item entitled "Upload photos" select that and create a category in your name then you'll be able to upload images/photos. I would suggest that create albums as you go.

John Marsh writes:

"Many thanks to Norman for doing the ground work for our autumn meeting which will take place on Thursday 2 October 2025 at Upavon Golf Club - https://www.upavongolfclub.co.uk/
 

A slight change to our normal meetings as we will be having a sit down breakfast to start with, rather than just a bacon bap.
 
Cost is £45 (or £18 for club members). (The cost breakdown is £38 for coffee, breakfast and 18 holes of golf (£11 for members of Upavon Golf Club) plus £7 for prizes which will include £2 for a two’s competition)). Cash on the day please – this is great value on an interesting and deceptively tricky course.
 
Arrive for breakfast at 0930 hrs and 1^st tee at 1056 hrs.
 
If you would like to play please respond ASAP, but NLT Friday 19 September."

Salisbury City Council has invited the Association to take part in the city's Remembrance Sunday Parade at the War Memorial on Sunday 9 November followed by a Service at St. Thomas' Church.  Attendees are requested to form up on Avon Approach from 09:30 hours.  Once the Church Service is complete the Parade will reform and return to the Guildhall Square for the Royal British Legion address from the Guildhall steps before being dismissed at approximately 12:45 hours.

Major Nigel Walker and Captain Bill Sherman will attend and lay wreaths on behalf of the Regiment.  The council has asked how many of our members intend to join the Parade.  Those who wish to do so are requested to let the Secretary know as soon as possible by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Royal British Legion have declined our request to increase our allocation for the RBL Cenotaph Parade in Whitehall this year from 25 to our usual 30 places.  This is a direct consequence of the fact that only 18 members logged on to the RBL website in 2024 to claim their tickets.  This is particularly unfortunate since this year we have had 35 applicants, so presently we have 10 names on our reserve list.

The Secretary has emailed all those who have been allocated tickets as well as the 10 individuals who have not received tickets to confirm their status.  Those who have been allocated tickets for this year have until 29 September to complete their registration.  Joining instructions will be issued by the RBL by the end of October.

If, for any reason, someone who has a ticket is unable to attend, please let the Secretary know as soon as possible so that he can arrange for their ticket to be re-allocated to a member on the reserve list.

Earlier this month the Daily Telegraph published a long article about the Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre which killed 29 Service and RUC security personnel on 2 June 1994.  The link to the article is below:

https://mcusercontent.com/385b795f557d0f1ce0b00b7b6/files/83c37eb7-1bf3-eb3b-2d9a-029f94ee608c/In_1994_29_men_died_when_an_RAF_Chinook_crashed._This_is_how_the_MoD_hid_the_truth.pdf

Major Clyde Aylin, who served with 1st Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment in Cyprus during 1956 - 59, attended the Cyprus Veterans Memorial Service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on 24 August.  He writes that "it was held to remember the 371 soldiers who died in this extraordinary war on two fronts - like elsewhere.  On the one hand the Eoka Ennosis campaign by the Greek Cypriots and on the other hand keeping the Greek and Turkish Cypriots from killing one another.  We additionally took part in riot control in Nicosia."

"Air Vice Marshall Sir Michael  Graydon made an excellent speech.  I was disappointed to be the only Royal Berkshire soldier attending along with one soldier fromthe Wiltshire Regiment who reminisced about his service in Kyrenia Castle.  The creation of the Arboretum is an amazing achievement and a visit is highly recommended.  Thanks largely to the efforts of the Air Vice Marshall, the RAF flew a four ton chunk of Troodos rock to the UK and had it engraved with all the units which had served in the campaign."

While leading a patrol as a young officer in October 1956, to underpin the Turkish police stations in Troodos in a Land-rover and Bedford truck, Major Aylin's patrol was ambushed by two massive bombs built in to the vertical cliff face beside the road, so as to blow our heads off as they drove by.  The bombs were detonated by three Greek Cypriots with a car battery.  The patrol all suffered flesh wounds, primarily from the tumultuous amount of rocks which fell on their heads.  Having ensured that field dressings were applied to the injured, Major Aylin set off along the road armed with a sten gun and revolver.  As an Army athlete who ran sub two minute half miles at the time he fully expected to intercept the terrorists.  The cliff was too steep to climb but he came to a gully and ran up it.  As he emerged on top of the plateau, there in front were the three assailants running away with the last man carrying the battery.  He fired a complete magazine from his sten gun and the trio went down.  Not sure if they were armed, he skirted round a knoll to his flank and lost sight of them.  Shortly afterwards an RAF helicopter with a tracker dog and his Turkish handler landed but, in the scorching dry mid October weather, the dog could not pick up the scent.  Apart from cuts to his head, Major Aylin recalls that his ears rang for days and he is now designated as profoundly deaf.

The Association has been informed of the death on 21 March 2025 in hospital in Bath of Montague John Thomas Dermott, known as Monty, aged 90 years.  Our records show Mr Dermott as being born in 1932 but his family's account places his birth date in 1935.  

He joined the Army at The Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion in Plumer Barracks, Plymouth and served with 4th Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment before transferring to 1st Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment.  

In the 1950s he served with 1 R. Berks in both Cyprus and the Canal Zone during the 1956 Suez operation.  Mr Dermott leaves his widow, Brenda, grandchildren Stacey and Scott and 4 great grandchildren.  His daughter Sandra pre-deceased him.

https://samspurway.muchloved.com

Peter was born in 1947 into a military family then based in Germany. His early childhood was spent overseas, first in Germany and later in Burma, before the family eventually settled back in England. He was educated at St Alfred’s School, Wantage, and The Royal Liberty School, in Romford where he was a keen member of the Combined Cadet Force and where his ambition to pursue a military career first took root. From there he went on to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Commissioned into the Gloucestershire Regiment, Peter joined the battalion in Berlin during the tense years of the Cold War. Over the following years he held a succession of regimental appointments in the UK, Northern Ireland and BAOR, including platoon commander, company second-in-command, operations officer, and later as officer commanding A Company and Battalion second-in-command. He also fitted in an exchange with 1RCR in Canada and a tour at Depot Crickhowell, commanding the junior soldiers’ company. Each role bore the hallmark of his professionalism, care for his men, and steady leadership.  He was a popular officer, respected equally by his brother officers and by his soldiers who appreciated his relaxed, informal and, at times, irreverent approach to soldiering.

Much to his own surprise, he was selected for the Staff College. On graduating, he was posted to a staff appointment in North West District – which he himself described as somewhat unglamorous – before getting a 2 year tour with MATT Nigeria.  Peter was then selected to command 1 Wessex when the battalion faced significant restructuring, reorganisation, and re-roling challenges. He handled these with calm assurance, energy, and clarity of purpose, ensuring that morale was maintained and that the transition was completed efficiently and effectively. His command of 1 Wessex is remembered as a period of stability and success under difficult circumstances for which he was awarded an OBE.

With command behind him, Peter was able to steer the latter part of his career in a direction that played to his strengths and interests. He undertook a succession of overseas postings which made full use of his diplomatic skills, his sense of humour and fun, and his human touch. These included staff and training appointments at the Canadian Staff College and later with BMATT Zimbabwe. In these roles he proved to be as adaptable and effective as he had been in regimental life.

On retirement from the Army, he joined People Positive, an organization which prepared young volunteers for service in Africa, India and the Himalayas, work to which he was ideally suited. In civilian life, at home in Wales, he pursued his passions for motorcycling and amateur dramatics, and became a prominent, well-liked and well-respected member of his local community.   He was also noted for playing the guitar – badly. 

For the last 7 years of his life, Peter bravely fought with cancer but never let it spoil his zest for life nor his love of and dedication to the Regiment.  He was a strong supporter of the Regimental Association and, despite his gruelling treatment, he was a regular attendee at Association events and Regimental funerals where he took particular delight in greeting old comrades with his characteristic wry smile. He died peacefully in St Michael’s Hospice, Hereford.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Diana.

Living History Festival Brings the Past to Life at The Rifles Museum

The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum welcomed nearly 800 visitors on the weekend of 9th and 10th August for its annual Living History Festival. The event proved to be a huge success, raising almost £3,000 to support the museum and its work.

Bringing centuries of history to life, the festival featured an impressive line-up of historic re-enactors representing different eras of conflict. Visitors could encounter the Company of Blood & Gold, who transported audiences back to the medieval battlefield, alongside a Medieval Barber Surgeon who demonstrated the unusual – and sometimes grisly – practices of early medicine.

Modern military history was equally well represented. La Columna explored the Spanish Civil War, while the US 4th Infantry depicted the American Civil War with detailed living displays. Brasso & Blanco showcased both World War I and II, joined by the WWI Falconess and Home Guard Kevin, who shared stories of the ordinary men tasked with defending Britain on the home front. Dr. Stuart Blank added another dimension by portraying the Japanese perspective of the Second World War.

The combination of interactive exhibits, living displays, and expert storytelling gave visitors a unique chance to step back into different eras of history and connect with the personal experiences of those who lived through them. Families, history enthusiasts, and casual visitors alike praised the event for its immersive approach and engaging atmosphere.

Thanks to the dedication of the museum staff, volunteers and re-enactors as well as the enthusiastic support of the public, the festival not only provided an entertaining and educational weekend but also generated vital funds to help preserve military history at The Rifles Museum.

The Gloucestershire Regiment’s story in Burma was marked by determination, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of unforgiving conditions. The 1st Battalion, stationed in Burma before the Japanese invasion of 1942, bore the brunt of the enemy’s rapid advance. At Taukkyan, Letpadan and Paungde, the battalion fought desperate rearguard actions, often outnumbered and cut off.

By April, the battalion was shattered and reduced to a fraction of its strength. Under Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Bagot, the remnants were rallied into “Bagot Force,” conducting further delaying actions before withdrawing into India across the Chindwin. The losses were severe with over 150 men killed or dead from sickness, yet their stand bought valuable time for the Allied retreat.

Rebuilt in India, 1st Battalion did not return to frontline service, but their sacrifice in 1942 set the tone for the Regiment’s later Burma campaign. By 1945 it was the 10th Battalion, part of 72nd Brigade in 36th Division, that carried the Gloucestershire colours forward. Originally trained as an armoured unit, they found themselves fighting as infantry in the teak forests and jungles of the Burma. Ill-prepared for such warfare, the men nevertheless adapted swiftly, learning the hard way under fire.

The battalion’s sternest test came at Myitson in February 1945. Alongside the newly arrived 26th Indian Brigade, the 10th Gloucesters fought through dense elephant grass and jungle in a bitter battle with Japanese forces. “D” Company was cut off for several days but held firm, claiming heavy enemy casualties before rejoining the battalion. Although the Japanese eventually withdrew, the price was heavy. 10th Battalion lost two officers and 117 men, nearly half its fighting strength. Despite appalling recriminations at higher command levels, the courage and endurance of the rank and file were beyond question.

After Myitson the 10th Battalion pushed on through Mongmit, the ruby mines of Mogok, and finally Mandalay, which 72nd Brigade entered by air in April. By May the Division had been withdrawn to India, the Gloucesters exhausted after months of hard campaigning. For soldiers who had been trained for very different roles, their ability to adapt to jungle warfare and see the campaign through was a testament to their resilience.

The final chapter came with VJ Day on 15 August 1945. News of Japan’s surrender, following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reached the regiment in India. Lance-Corporal Ronald Spreadbury of the 10th Battalion captured the mood in his diary with typical understatement: “Japs ask for peace. What news. We celebrate with the next three days off.”

Every day is a learning day!

Are you aware that there is a 'Rifleman's Handbook'?

If not enrol on Swift and head to - https://theriflesnetwork.co.uk/media_center/file/a095aeba-adf4-462c-bb86-d0bf85fc2e27 to download a copy.

It is a weighty tome and requires a stiff G&T next to you before you settle down for a read.

Also be aware of the website at 12-11 https://www.therifles.co.uk/, (which takes you to a British Indies Rock band)!

I have been advised by the Rifles Regimental Secretary (Col Peter Balls) that it is undergoing a re-write.

We have tried hard this year to notify you of as many events across the globe that Association members may be interested in.

For 2026 we would like to improve upon this and produce (by the beginning of December) a calendar of events. To help us do so we can only include events we are notified about. Can I therefore ask that you send an email to myself (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and the Webmaster (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for every event you are aware of to include the following information:

1. Title of event
2. Date of event
3. Time of event (and duration)
4. One off or recurring meeting (please state monthly or weekly)
5. Location of event, to include Post Code and any helpful instructions to find it.
6. Contact details (e-mail and mobile) of the organiser.
7. Any dress code.
8. Cost of tickets.
9. Number of tickets to be sold.
10. Bank details for where money should be sent.
11. Any other useful information.

Once we have all the information we will add it to the Calendar and working with the Webmaster ensure tickets are available form a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) on the Association web page.

The award comprises two pinned sterling silver emblems, one full size for formal remembrance events and a miniature version for less formal events. The reverse of the cross will be engraved with the name of the person in whose memory it is granted. The emblems will be accompanied by a memorial scroll.

 
Had I realised what a Sisyphean task I had undertaken. I might not have embarked upon this journey! However, the success in tracking down relatives who may be the rightful recipient and sharing the pleasure that they express when they realise what it means, is worth all the effort.

I have received confirmation that the four soldiers who died on operations in Bosnia whilst serving with the RGBW on peacekeeping duties are eligible and help would be appreciated in tracking down their Next of Kin (NOK) for the following individuals:

Private Phillip Armstrong RGBW Died: 12/09/1994 in Bosnia

Private Martin Dowdell RGBW Died: 12/09/1994 in Bosnia
Private Benjamin Hinton RGBW Died: 09/09/1994 in Bosnia
Private Christopher Turner RGBW Died: 12/09/1994 in Bosnia

If you are able to help please ask a member of their family to e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Thank you.

Having re-read the Association's February newsletter, I was struck by the words from the family of Pte Jones on receipt of the Elizabeth Cross for his ultimate sacrifice at the Battle of Imjin, with the Gloucestershire Regiment.
Dear Steph,

The Elizabeth Cross Presentation was wonderful. My family was amazed by the professionalism, consideration shown to us, and the respect given to the memory of my late uncle Pte DGE Jones. At moments during the ceremony, the kind words expressed by those leading the presentation were overwhelming.

It was of great foresight that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 2009 instituted the Elizabeth Cross.

The emblem has given us much comfort.

We have successfully tracked down, and application forms have been submitted to the MOD Medals Office for:

Cpl Joseph Leahy - DERR
SSgt Barry Foster - DERR
Pte Michael Swanick - DERR
LCpl Kevin Pullin - DERR
Maj Richard Allen - RGBW
LCpl Craddock - RGBW
We now wait to hear whether the individual is eligible to receive the award. Assuming that they are this means that we have tracked down every soldier who served in the DERR and whose NOK have not received the award, so far.

It is hoped that if we are successful some of them may wish to attend the Rifles, Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum in Salisbury to receive the Elizabeth Cross in a formal award ceremony (more details will follow).
 
Elizabeth Cross - How are we doing?

You will recall that I submitted a Freedom of Information Request (FOI) to the MOD and received a list of all those individuals who served with:GLOSTERS (174 names)
R BERKS (43 names)
WILTS (37 names)
DERR (44 names)
RGBW (10 names)
WESSEX (25 names)

I submitted a further FOI to the MOD Medals Office in Imjin Barracks, requesting confirmation of who is eligible for the award and to whom it has been issued. Unfortunately the amount of time required to research the information falls outside the scope of the FOI and after several very useful telephone calls with the head of the Medal Office, we have a way forward.

I thought it useful to share some of the points he has written to me:
 
'We have been working on an alternative method to allow potential next of kin to see if the circumstances of their Service relative’s death meet the criteria of the Elizabeth Cross and whether it has been awarded already. This work is a long-term project that is still under development, but it is my hope that it will be publicly accessible via an enhanced Armed Forces Roll of Honour available via GOV.UK'. 
 
'Although we are in agreement around the process to undertake prospective checks on potential Elizabeth Cross entitlements for those listed Service personnel, I must also stress that there are some potential pitfalls in being able to provide responses. In some instances, we will be unable to provide confirmation. These relate to Service personnel who have fallen between 1948 to December 1963, whereby their Service records have been transferred to The National Archives. As MOD no longer holds this information, we are not in a position to validate with 100% accuracy that the circumstances of their deaths would attract the Elizabeth Cross under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)'. 

I still hope that we will ensure eligible NOK receive the Elizabeth Cross in recognition of their family member's supreme sacrifice whilst serving the Nation. It might just take longer than anticipated.
 
Therefore, next steps will now be:
Advising all when the potential for next of kin to see if their relatives are eligible for the EC by checking the Roll of Honour on the Gov.UK website. This may take 12-18 months.
Continuing to submit FOI for smaller numbers of individuals and excluding any prior to 1963.
On receipt of those FOI lists it will be possible to identify those eligible and not awarded.
I will communicate using both the Association’s monthly newsletter, this update letter and Social Media to track down relatives of the identified individuals.
Once I have details I will write to them on behalf of the Association directing them to - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/request-for-the-elizabeth-cross-and-memorial-scroll, I will also direct them to - https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/cultural-collections/medals/collection/elizabeth-cross/about/ for more information.

I will send a copy of the application form, for those uncomfortable with using the Internet.

I will assist them in completing the application to the point it can be submitted to the Medal Office, if required.

I will request that they submit the application, and help with any questions they may have. If I cannot  answer them and pass them to the Medal Office please be aware that they will only answer questions directly with the applicant and not with me.

Once the MOD Medal office have carried out their adjudication they will notify the NOK. They will not notify me.
I, nor any member of the Association, will be able to discuss the case with the Medal Office without a full Power of Attorney.
I will continue to provide generic advice to anyone seeking it.
 
RGBW
I have received confirmation that the following members of the RGBW are entitled to the award and I now urgently request your help in tracking down the NOK for the following individuals, please:

Private Phillip Armstrong RGBW Died: 12/09/1994 in Bosnia
Private Martin Dowdell RGBW Died: 12/09/1994 in Bosnia
Private Benjamin Hinton RGBW Died: 09/09/1994 in Bosnia
Private Christopher Turner RGBW Died: 12/09/1994 in Bosnia
Sadly Corporal Lee Tandy RGBW who Died: 01/09/2002 in Oman is not eligible for the award.
 
If anyone is able to put me in touch with the NOK for any of the above I would be extremely grateful.
 
 
GLOSTERS/R BERKS/WILTSHIRES/WESSEX ETC
I will be revisiting the database and identifying those individuals who have died since 1963 before I submit more FOI requests to ascertain who may be eligible. Once received, I will make a further request to track down their NOK.
 
Summary
I am delighted with our success, so far in tracking down NOK and submitting application forms for families to receive the Elizabeth Cross on behalf of their loved one.

Thank you to all those who have, and will hopefully continue to supply information to help track down the information I need, it is much appreciated.

Please do not hesitate to email, or phone me if you have any questions.
 
Elizabeth Cross - Eligibility Criteria
These criteria have been cut and pasted from the full MOD Policy (JSP 761 - Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces) and a link is included below.

The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll will be presented to the Next of Kin of UK Armed Forces personnel who have died on operations or as a result of an act of terrorism since 1 January 1948 in national recognition of their loss and sacrifice.  Eligible personnel to be remembered in this way are those who were serving with or former members of:The UK Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve).
The UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)32

The Next of Kin of eligible personnel whose deaths fall into the following categories will qualify.Death from whatever cause whilst serving on a medal earning operation.  Medal earning operations are those in which deployed personnel received a Campaign Medal, General Service Medal or Operational Service Medal which demonstrated the risk and rigour involved.  Operations where a UN, NATO, other international body or other nation’s campaign medal was accepted for wear, in the absence of a UK medal, also qualify.

Death as a result of an act of terrorism where the available evidence suggests that the Service person, whether on or off duty, was targeted because of his or her membership of the UK Armed Forces.

Death on a non-medal earning operational task where the death was caused by the inherent high risk of the operational task

Subsequent and premature death as a result of injury or illness attributed to the circumstances outlined in the paragraphs above.

Death in the circumstances outlined in the paragraphs above, as a result of an incident that occurred after 1 January 1948 or as a result of service in Palestine between 27 September 1945 and 31 December 1947.

Death in circumstances for which a gallantry/bravery award was made. 
 
MOD Policy and further information
The full MOD Policy (JSP 761- Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces - Part 1: Directive) can be found at - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a802607ed915d74e33f8bb2/JSP761_Part1.pdf

The application form can be found at - 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b03f35b40f0b6304641fdab/20180521-ElizabethCrossandScrollApplication-O.doc
 

The Chairman awarded Roger Smith, from the Severn Branch a president's Certificate of Appreciation at the recent Back Badge Day in Imjin Barracks and the citation from the Gloucester Branch stated;-

"Roger Smith has been the Secretary of the Severn Branch of The Rifles and The RGBW Regimental Association since 2017. Roger’s background is largely based on his having been a stalwart member of the Territorial Army within the county of Gloucestershire; be that 1 WESSEX or 2 RGBW. In the eight years that he has been the Seven Branch Secretary, through his leadership, encouragement and persistence, he has not only maintained a strong and thriving Branch but has widened the social membership to include members of other Regiments, including the Household Division. 

The Branch meet at the Saintsbridge Sports Centre and Roger Smith designed and commissioned a presentation plaque comprising of all the Regimental Badges of the founding Regiments of the RGBW and The Rifles badge and presented it to the Sport Centre as a thank you for the continual support the Centre has given the Branch. The highlight of their social year is a Christmas function well attended but which involves a great deal of administrative work by Roger ably assisted by his lovely wife Margaret

Whenever there is an event, at Country or Association level that requires a Standard, Roger is always present as the Branch Standard bearer.  An initiative-taking individual who always has a very positive attitude, exemplified his performance during the lockdown session in the pandemic. I quickly realised that he was in constant telephone contact with his Branch members who may have needed morale boosting support.  A regular attender at the Association AGM’s he willingly acts a chauffeur for those less mobile using his people carrier to maximum effect.

In recognition of Roger Smith’s outstanding service and commitment to the Severn Branch of the Regimental Association, he is recommended for the award of the President’s Certificate of Appreciation".