Rifles LI and KOYLI Memorial Service and Lunch in York

The Annual Rifles LI and KOYLI Memorial Service was held in the Lady Chapel of York Minster and afterwards a lunch held at York Racecourse on Saturday 1 October 2022.

The service is usually held in the Regimental Chapel within the minster. In recent years the service has been held in the minster's Lady Chapel due to renovation works within the Minster and this year an exhibition. The Regimental Chapel was available for private prayer before and after the service.

During the service, conducted by Rev Andrew Martlew the Association Padre, Last Post and Rouse was sounded by Mr Pete Bate who at 83 is the oldest playing bugler in the Buglers Branch of The Rifleman's Association.

The York Minster memorial service is the only Rifles memorial service held in the North is true to the ethos of 'The Rifles 5 Pillars' - Regulars, Reservists, Communities, Rifles badges Cadets, and Veterans were represented by:

• Regulars - Colonel Steve Hopper, the Deputy Rifles Colonel North was the senior Rifleman present, standing in for Brig Mark Wilson who is Rifles Colonel North and is the President of The Rifles Light Infantry and KOYLI Association (RLKA).

• Reservists - WO1 Danny Long the RSM 8 Rifles along with 5 Riflemen from Y Coy 8 Rifles.

• Communities

• John Holt DL Vice Lord Lieutenant South Yorkshire, and James Selka DL Deputy Lord Lieutenant West Yorkshire represented the Lord Lieutenancies of the Counties in which our Freedom Towns are located.

• Representing our Freedom Towns were the:

  • Cllr Robert W Gettings MBE JP the Lord Mayor of Leeds

  • Cllr Ian Pearson the Civic Mayor of Doncaster

  • Cllr David Jones the Mayor of Wakefield

  • Cllr Gwen Lowe the former Mayor of Kirklees

• Cadets - 6 Cadet adult instructors from E (The Rifles) Coy Yorkshire N&W ACF

• Veterans - Rifles LI and KOYLI Association members were joined by members of the Yorkshire Branch of the RGJ Association.

During the lunch at the racecourse Colonel Steve Hopper presented 'Certificates of Recognition' signed by Brig Mark Wilson to Maxine Jordan who has retired after working as the AO in the Pontefract Regional Office for 14 years providing support to Riflemen leaving the Army, veterans, and the Association. Colonel Steve then presented Colin Cranswick the Association Secretary with his 'Certificate of Recognition' for his work and commitment to the Association, veteran's welfare, and supporting the families of bereaved veterans.

Lt Col (Retd) Graham Whitmore gave a loyal toast to the King before Brig (Retd) Roger Preston gave the Regimental toast 'Dyas and the Stormers', which by tradition is a silent toast.

Photographs courtesy of Russ Snood