Be proud of Dorset's brave Riflemen (From Dorset Echo)

Be proud of Dorset's brave Riflemen

9:25am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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WHEN the Government disbanded the County Regiments to form the Rifles, most of us who had served in the County Regiments were filled with disbelief – but since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, things have changed.

I took part in the Freedom marches in Plymouth, Exeter, Dorchester, Shaftsbury and Weymouth. They march so fast – as the music faded away in the distance, they had ended their march before we started.

It has been a sad year for the Rifles. As Standard Bearer for the Gillingham Branch OCA with other members of committee, I have attended the repatriations at Wottoon Basset and many of the funerals of the 1st Battalion of the Rifles, now based at Chepstow (many of these served in Devon and Dorset before the disbandment).

We also attended the funeral of Captain Mark Hales, of the 2nd Battalion.

This week we have attended the repatriations of members of the 3rd Battalion.

All repatriations and funerals are very sad. Standing with the families over Christmas and the new year was very hard.

I hope the new year will be better, but as there are seven Rifle Battalions there will always be one battalion in Afghanistan.

I think we will be travelling many more miles to repatriate those that have given their lives and we remember these young men with pride.

We have seen on these sad occasions, and at medal giving parades, there are many more of these young men that have come back with injuries.

Over the years we have raised a lot of money for charities.

This year we are going to raise money for the Rifles Benevolent Fund. Why the Rifles? Because these young men would have been based in Devon and Dorset as we were, had the Government not changed them to Rifles.

GEOFF EAVIS, Ex D&D, Gillingham Branch, Devon & Dorset Regimental Association, Claremont Avenue, Gillingham