On Sunday 1st August we celebrated Minden Day, the Regimental Day of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, with military, civic dignitaries joining Association members for a day of activities in Doncaster.
The day started at Sir Nigel Gresley Square with a reception and the unveiling of a plaque by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire John Holt DL, to mark the official opening of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Gallery within the recently opened Danum Gallery, Library, and Museum. Retired Officers and Soldiers of the KOYLI, including Mr Fred Adamson at 101 the oldest surviving member of the KOYLI, were joined at the reception by the Elected Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones, Doncaster Armed Forces Champion Councillor Mark Houlbrook, Commanding Officer, 8 Rifles Lt Colonel Mark Laverick, the OC Y Coy 8 Rifles Capt Ben Clare, the Commandant and the RSMI of Yorkshire (N&W) Army Cadet Force Colonel Jim Greenlee and WO1 Austin Butler. Guided tours of the KOYLI Gallery followed the unveiling before guests and association members moved to Elmfield Park for the next phase of the days activities.
At the KOYLI Memorial in Elmfield Park our civic and military dignitaries, and association members were greeted by Regimental Standard Bearers and 5 Buglers from The Minden House Buglers for the wreath laying and service conducted by Rev Andrew Martlew. After readings by former Bandmaster Jack Leeming and Fred Adamson Brigadier (Retd) Roger Preston laid a wreath on behalf of the Association in remembrance of all KOYLI servicemen. It was then time to move to the Earl of Doncaster for lunch.
Photo's of the day can be found on the association photo album page here. More photo's will be entered in the coming days.
Dear Graham I wanted to write to say an enormous Thank You to you, your fellow officers, trustees and organisers for the splendid day that Lynn and I so much enjoyed as guests of KOYLI, the Light Infantry and the Rifles. The setting for the Reception and Opening Ceremony at Sir Nigel Gresley Square complete with Tipi was brilliant! So too our whistle-stop visit to the Regimental Museum was enticingly planned so as to ensure that we will return multiple times, I suspect, to get a longer viewing and better understanding of the rich history. The weather was kind for the Wreath-Laying at Elmfield Park, the ambience was ideal: a mix of reunion, nostalgia and of course Remembrance. Your Padre who…