The
RLIRA
Reunion
in
Sydney
April
2007
These
are
my
immediate
observations,
impressions
and
comment
about
the
Rhodesian
Light
Infantry
Regimental
Association
(Australasian
Branch)
re-union
before
and
during
the
Anzac
day
holiday
in
Sydney,
Australia
0n
Wednesday
25th
April
2007.
The
dinner
the
night
before
the
Anzac
Day
parade
and
then
the
Anzac
Day
parade
and
following
get-together
enabled
a
magnificent
surge
of
comradeship
and
renewal
of
self-belief
and
self-respect
in
all
that
we
had
stood
for
as
soldiers
in
Rhodesia.
The
massive
and
enthusiastic
crowds
watching
the
march
took
the
RLI
contingent
to
their
hearts
and
enthusiastically
applauded
our
Ouens.
This,
in
itself,
was
a
heart-warming
and
encouraging
experience.
Many
of
my
friends
and
my
(probably
much
biased)
Rhodesian
born
children
said
spontaneously
after
the
march
that
the
RLI
contingent
was
the
smartest
of
all
the
civilian
attired
groups
on
the
three
hour
long
column
of
veterans
and
others
on
the
march.
The
Ouens
marched
with
such
obvious
pride
and
precision
that
the
effect
on
the
watchers
was
palpable.
The
reunion
was
a
significant
occasion
for
the
wives
of
many
who
attended
because
they
could
see
the
importance
that
friendship
and
mutual
respect
forged
in
combat
have
on
teams
of
men,
and
also
the
significance
and
importance
of
the
RLIRA
to
maintain
that
comradeship,
respect
and
self-confidence.
The
wives
could
also
forge
a
special
and
unique
bond
between
themselves
that
will
only
strengthen
the
worth
of
the
Association
to
all
whom
are
involved
in
it
and
its
objectives.
All
in
all
it
was
a
joyous
and
memorable
event
of
much
vitality
and
regeneration
of
dormant
regimental
spirit
that
I
expect
will
long
remain
in
the
memories
of
those
who
attended
and
enjoyed
the
camaraderie,
sense
of
team,
and
unique
‘occasion’
of
their
short
time
together.
The
Saints
forever!
Digger
Essex-Clark
Click
here
to
watch
a
video
of
the
parade.
To
download
the
video
please
right
click
here
an
click
on
the
save
as
option.
Below
are
some
pictures
from
the
event.
Please
click
on
the
pictures
to
enlarge.
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