RGJRA In the News

At the invitation of  The Worshipful the Mayor of Croydon  one hundred Riflemen of the 2^nd Battalion The Rifles will march through Croydon to the Town Hall in Katharine Street on Thursday 29 October 2009 to celebrate the battalion’s return from a six month operational tour in Afghanistan.

The 2 RIFLES contingent will have in their ranks a number Riflemen from Croydon and the London area as well as London TA Riflemen from their sister TA battalion, 7 RIFLES, who have been serving with them in Afghanistan for the past six months.

The parade will also pay tribute to Rifleman Danny Simpson, 2 RIFLES, who came from Croydon and who sadly was one of thirteen (13) men of 2 RIFLES killed in action in Afghanistan.

Prior to the parade The Band and Bugles of The Rifles will be holding a short public “Platz Concert” in North End at 12.45 pm before being joined by the 2 RIFLES marching contingent who will have marched from the Mitcham Road TA Centre to North End from where they will march together with the Band and Bugles through the pedestrian area to the Town Hall in Katharine Street for a formal parade at 1.30pm to be inspected by The Mayor of Croydon.

After the parade the Riflemen, with members of their families and nominated representatives of the Regimental Associations, have been invited to a civic reception hosted by The Worshipful the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Margaret Mead JP, in The Fairfield Halls.

It is hoped that as many as possible “Swift and Bold” former Riflemen from the Croydon and London area will turn out to support 2 RIFLES.

We are advised that the best viewing position of the parade is outside the Town Hall in Katharine Street.

                Outline Timings:

                1245hrs “Platz Concert” in North End by The Band and Bugles of The Rifles

                1300hrs Marching contingent sets off from Mitcham Road TA Centre for North End

                1315hrs Marching contingent meets up with The Band and Bugles in North End

                1330hrs Parade and Inspection outside Town Hall in Katharine Street

                1345hrs approx Band and Bugles and marching contingent move to Fairfield Halls

                Invited guests move to the reception in Fairfield Halls

Point of contact:

Lt Col (Retd) J-D von Merveldt,

The Rifles Assistant Regimental Secretary (London)

Tel: 0207 491 4936

london@the-rifles.co.uk