Members of The Light Infantry & Rifles Association, welcomed their patron Sir John Foley, to their annual social event at the Eagle Inn, Ross-on-Wye on Saturday, December 10th.

It was a great opportunity for former members of Ross ‘D’ company, the 5th Battalion of the Light Infantry, to catch up and many had travelled long distances to be there.

Guest of honour was Lieutenant General Sir John Paul Foley KCB OBE MC DL, a retired British general with a long career in military intelligence. Foley joined the Royal Greenjackets as a National Serviceman in 1959. His long military career included being appointed Diretor of the Special Air Services.In 2005, he retired to his native Herefordshire and has served as High Sheriff and Vice Lord Lieutenant of the county. He told the large group that had gathered that he felt it was an honour to be asked to act as a Patron at his advanced age.

Colonel Bob Purvis TD, a former President of the Ross-on-Wye Branch of the Royal British Legion, had the original idea for the Association. He enlisted former Company Commanders, Major Robert Barnes TD and Major Ladi Broadman QVRN TD, and two Senior NCOs, Bob Morris and Mick Ebert to help him set up the Association.

Colonel Bob Purvis TD, found that many local veterans, whether they were regular or reservist soldiers, missed the comradeship and support they received whilst in service. The Association is looking at ways to help former friends and comrades to keep in touch. The aims of the Association revolve around looking after the needs of both former ‘D’ Coy soliders and their dependants and it was decided that the best way to achieve this was to hold regular ‘get togethers.’

The latest of these was the Christmas dinner which was a great success, however, due to work commitments in December, Rob Morris announced that the next Annual Dinner will be in January 2018.