Artist impression of The Light Infantry Memorial (by Llewellyn Harker Achitects)

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THE DEDICATION  OF THE LIGHT INFANTRY MEMORIAL

AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM ON SUNDAY 12 JUNE 2011

 

The Light Infantry has commissioned a Memorial to be dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday 12 June 2011. The National Memorial Arboretum is at Croxall Road, Alrewas, Burton on Trent, DE13 7AR.

The Memorial

The Light Infantry Memorial comprises a large piece of Portland Stone, simply adorned with the Bugle badge, the universal symbol of the founding Regiments and, flanking it on both sides two seats, also of Portland Stone.  On these seats are carved the Regimental badges of all those English Regiments who have served as Light Infantry at some time since 1946.  Looking at the Memorial, the badges are from the left those of:

Somerset Light Infantry (until 1959)
Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry (from 1959)
Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (until 1959)
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Green Jackets from 1958)
King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Durham Light Infantry
Herefordshire Light Infantry (until 1967)

Attendance

There is no limit to the numbers that may attend. Members of our former County Regiments, former members of The Light Infantry, Regular or Territorial, will be most welcome, as will our Elizabeth Cross recipients and their families. Families are encouraged to attend.

Light Refreshments

Tea, coffee and biscuits for ticket holders only will be available from 1130 to 1215 hrs in the refreshment marquee to the east of the main building. Tickets will cost £2-00 each and can be purchased by phoning your local rifles office:

Bodmin: Tel: 01208 7281 - E-mail: bodmin@the-rifles.co.uk

Durham: Tel: 0191 3865496 -  E-mail: durham@the-rifles.co.uk

Pontefract: Tel: 01977 703181 - Email: yorkshire@the-rifles.co.uk

Shrewsbury:  Tel: 01743 262425 - Email: shrewsbury@the-rifles.co.uk

Taunton:  Tel: 01823 333434 - Email: taunton@the-rifles.co.uk

Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the 'Reception Desk' up to 1200 hrs on the day.

 

 

The programme is as follows:

• 1100 - 1145 Short Concert by Rifles Band and Bugles
• 1130 - Refreshments for Ticket Holders

• 1145 - Arrival of Regimental Guests

• 1220 - Everyone moves to Memorial Site

 

The Service will be conducted by the Reverend Tim Daplyn (a former officer in The Light Infantry) and The Rifles Band and Bugles will accompany us.

 

It will be a fitting memorial for the regiment, and we hope as many of you can attend as possible on the day, more details can be found here. Dedication Service Programme

Park & Ride

All attending our event by car should follow the Park & Ride signs, This will take them to a secure area about 2 miles from the NMA, where toilets, free transport shuttle and security staff are situated.  This area is open from 0930m until the NMA closes. Signs guiding all to NMA Park and Ride are shown off the A 38.  Coaches are permitted to park at the NMA and can therefore  ignore the Park & Ride signs , Mini Buses should follow the Park & Ride signs.

 

Funding

The funding of the Memorial has been underwritten by the Light Infantry Regimental Charity with the estimated cost of the project and dedication expected to cost in the region of £25,000.  Each of the antecedent Regiments, holding their own funds, have been asked to contribute £1,000 to help offset the project costs. Any corporate or individual contributions will be most welcome and can be sent to:

LI Memorial Appeal
LI Committee
C/O RHQ The Rifles
Peninsula  Barracks
Romsey Road
WINCHESTER
Hampshire
SO23 8TS

Cheques should be payable to “The Light Infantry Regimental Charity.

regimentalcharity@lightinfantry.co.uk