09:30–10:30
Huddersfield Crematorium
The Gloucestershire Regiment Memorial, unveiled on 25th September 2024
In April 1951, the 1st Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment (Glosters) fought a desperate 4-day battle at the battle of Imjin River, in South Korea, to slow the advance of the Chinese 63rd Army. By the end of the battle the Chinese had suffered 11,000 casualties, the invasion was stalled, and the capital (Seoul) saved – but at great cost. A full description may be found here
At Noon on Saturday 25th April 2026 – 75 years, to the day after, the battle ended – a commemoration service will be conducted by the Revd Andy Grant Late Glosters, at the Glosters Memorial, located in The National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire.
Following the service, attendees will retire for a complimentary hot buffet lunch at the Aspects Pavillion, where they can catch up with old friends, and share memories.
Veterans of the Glosters, successor regiments, their families and selected guests are cordially invited to attend. Please register with Captain Len Keeling, giving the information listed below, either by email or using the form below, to
Those who wish to travel to the NMA by coach should indicate this on the booking form, giving number of seats required. The Coaches (complimentary) will depart at 9am from the Army Reserve Centre, Gloucester located here. (Attendees’ vehicles can be left in that location – please allow time to park). At 4 pm, the Coaches will depart the NMA, returning to the Army Reserve Centre, Gloucester. (One coach will have wheelchair access and toilets)
Attendees travelling in their own vehicles are advised to reserve a car parking space at the NMA. Early bookings will attract a discount. Register online here
The deadline for registration is Fri 10 Apr 2026.
We look forward very much indeed to seeing as many as can make it, for what will be a unique and unforgettable, historic occasion.
Yours sincerely
Richard James, Len Keeling & Martin Vine
The Gloucestershire Regiment Memorial Trustees
1. Introduction: Finally, we can hold the Reunion on Back Badge Day 21st March 2026 in the WOs & Sgts Mess at Imjin Barracks Innsworth Gloucester GL113 1HW.
UPDATE 2:
The live streaming will only be available through the Facebook page. There is no separate link for anyone who does not use Facebook.
Please remember that the UK is on GMT - AKA ZULU (BST time finished in Oct). Fiji is on MIKE, which is GMT +12 hrs, so if you wish to watch the live-streaming you will have to be on Facebook in the Group at 202512122200Z.
The funeral of Sgt Jo Ravu - Late DERR -12 December 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Josese Ravu. After bravely battling a short illness, Jo passed away peacefully at his home on the 7 December 2025. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather , great grandfather and friend who will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Please can you leave any messages of condolence for Joe's family by selecting leave a comment above
Leave feed of the funeral https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CsQpwVarL/?mibextid=wwXIfr
For those of you not on Facebook The funeral of Sgt Jo Ravu - Late DERR -12 December 2025
From Mike Homer
30 August at 16:31 ·
It’s my sad duty to inform you that
Mark Bryan ,Cheltenham,ex A Coy 1st Glosters,1975 -81.Passed away suddenly last Friday 22/08/2025.May he Rest in peace..
From Andrew Croker
E coy reunion The plan is to meet at the Imperial Exeter from 13.00 on Saturday 20 September for our official reunion. Dress casual but smart The important thing is to be there. Wives, girlfriends and duty drivers are welcome. The City Centre is close by so they don't have to stay.
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/
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum
The Wardrobe, Salisbury
The Society of Friends
