- Reaction score
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- Points
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Amalgamation rears its head once more.
\\http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/Army/LastRegimentalDayForDevonshireAndDorsetLightInfantry.htm
Last Regimental Day for Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry
6 Jun 06
The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry paraded through Exeter (its spiritual home), for their last ever Regimental Day on Saturday 3 June 2006.
The march past began at the city centre and was followed by a Service of Remembrance in Exeter Cathedral and a Beating Retreat on Cathedral Green.
As the Regular soldiers of the 1st Battalion DDLI are on operations in Iraq until November, some 200 members of the Territorial Army’s The Rifle Volunteers, plus cadets from the Army Cadet Forces of Devon and Dorset and old comrades formed up for the glittering event led by the Regimental Band.
Regimental Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Geoff Nicholls, said:
"It is inevitably a day tinged with sadness: the Devon and Dorsets are to be amalgamated early next year to become a battalion of The Rifles.
"The Army is going through a period of transition, the aim of which is to make it even more cost-effective and efficient.
"The biggest change is that regiments with only one regular battalion, like us, have to amalgamate and then be permanently based in one location.
"In line with this policy, the Devon and Dorsets, the Royal Green Jackets, the Light Infantry and the Royal Gloucester Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment will combine to form the new regiment.
"We will comprise a large part of the 1st Battalion of this and be based permanently in Chepstow. The Regimental Headquarters in Wyvern Barracks, Exeter, will be unchanged and continue to serve all past and present members.
"Of course it is sad to see the demise of the D and Ds. But we must look forward too, while recognising the superb legacy left by our predecessors.
"Next year our young men will be members of a new regiment, but they will be the same Devon and Dorset men that they were before and you will have just as much reason to be proud of them."
The amalgamation of the Devon and Dorsets will be marked by the Laying Up of Colours in Exeter Cathedral on 27 January 2007. The Rifles will be formed shortly after that.
\\http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/Army/LastRegimentalDayForDevonshireAndDorsetLightInfantry.htm
Last Regimental Day for Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry
6 Jun 06
The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry paraded through Exeter (its spiritual home), for their last ever Regimental Day on Saturday 3 June 2006.
The march past began at the city centre and was followed by a Service of Remembrance in Exeter Cathedral and a Beating Retreat on Cathedral Green.
As the Regular soldiers of the 1st Battalion DDLI are on operations in Iraq until November, some 200 members of the Territorial Army’s The Rifle Volunteers, plus cadets from the Army Cadet Forces of Devon and Dorset and old comrades formed up for the glittering event led by the Regimental Band.
Regimental Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Geoff Nicholls, said:
"It is inevitably a day tinged with sadness: the Devon and Dorsets are to be amalgamated early next year to become a battalion of The Rifles.
"The Army is going through a period of transition, the aim of which is to make it even more cost-effective and efficient.
"The biggest change is that regiments with only one regular battalion, like us, have to amalgamate and then be permanently based in one location.
"In line with this policy, the Devon and Dorsets, the Royal Green Jackets, the Light Infantry and the Royal Gloucester Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment will combine to form the new regiment.
"We will comprise a large part of the 1st Battalion of this and be based permanently in Chepstow. The Regimental Headquarters in Wyvern Barracks, Exeter, will be unchanged and continue to serve all past and present members.
"Of course it is sad to see the demise of the D and Ds. But we must look forward too, while recognising the superb legacy left by our predecessors.
"Next year our young men will be members of a new regiment, but they will be the same Devon and Dorset men that they were before and you will have just as much reason to be proud of them."
The amalgamation of the Devon and Dorsets will be marked by the Laying Up of Colours in Exeter Cathedral on 27 January 2007. The Rifles will be formed shortly after that.
