A NEW group, The Light Infantry & Rifles Association, has been set up in Ross-on-Wye to support former comrades.

In the early 1990s, the long established Drill Hall at Alton Road was closed and ‘D’ company - the 5th Battalion of the Light Infantry was disbanded. Former volunteers of the Company had formed strong bonds and friendships, some going back many years.

Whenever two or more former members met up, the topic of forming an association was usually mentioned, however, nothing ever came of it until the ex ‘D’ company members paraded at the Rifles’ Freedom of Ross Parade.

One of those present was Colonel Bob Purvis who had heard that an ex member of D ‘Company’ had died, and that he had no family or relatives to support him during his long illness.

Local veterans, whether they were Regular or Reservist Soldiers, miss the comradeship and support they received whilst in service and it was Colonel Bob, the former President of the Ross-on-Wye Branch of the Royal British Legion, who grasped the nettle. Although he is 82, he is still working and began to establish an Executive Team. He gathered two former Company Commanders Majors, Robert Barnes and Ladi Broadman, plus two Senior NCOs, Bob Morris and Mick Ebert.

The aims of the Association revolved 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.’ Membership soon reached 50 after several successful events, including a Christmas Dinner at the Eagle Inn, a clay pigeon shoot, and a summer barbecue.

Major General Greg Smith has accepted the appointment as President of the Association. Brigadier Martin Vine has accepted the appointment of Deputy President. General Smith was a former member of D Company in the 1980s and was then serving in the Territorial Army as a Second Lieutenant. Brigadier Vine is the County Colonel for The Rifles.

General Smith told the Ross Gazette:?“I am delighted to be able to support the new group. I have great memories of my time in Ross-on-Wye and D Company. Both played an important part in my TA?career and I?am looking forward to helping out in whatever way I can.”

Brigadier Vine said:?“I congratulate Colonel Bob Purvis and his team on creating this latest branch of our regimental association - tremendous effort! I wish them all the best of luck for the future and look forward to seeing them go forward from strength to strength.”

Colonel Bob, as Chairman of the new association has encouraged members of the Executive Team to run the Association as a business. In line with this, the Association has developed a mission statement, underpinned by a vision statement.

The Mission statement is to:

• Identify the welfare needs of the members and introduce them to the official charities relevant to their needs

• Organise events for the members

• Raise funds for military charities

Their vision is to:

• Develop and organise their human and financial resources to they can deliver the above mission.

Fifteen members of the new Association attended the Annual Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at The Prospect on Sunday. They wore their regulation green blazers and regimental ties.