The Rhodesian Light Infantry Regimental Association

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THE PILGRIMAGE

'Digger' Essex-Clark

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THE PILGRIMAGE

Troopie today; the RLI Roll of Honour is on the back and RLI badges on each side.

Although our RLI Troopie had been magnificently rededicated many weeks earlier, I saw Troopie for the first time on a cold and wet morning on Saturday the 10th of November 2008. With a small group of fellow pilgrims, I was to lay one of the wreaths in Remembrance of the fallen. My first glimpse was from about 150 metres away, and the statue stood tall, imposing, and boldly dominating the beautiful grassed site on the south bank of the River Lee.

As I approached Troopie seemed to beckon to our small group to draw closer. We did.

Someone ahead of us had already placed a tiny wooden cross and small poppy wreath at the base of the memorial As we all stood before Troopie, irrespective of the dripping umbrellas, he awed us with his sheer regimental and national symbolism. To use a current idiom I was thoroughly ‘gobsmacked’. So much so that as I looked up into in his sad but stern face, after laying the wreath, I was trembling with emotion, no, it was not that cold, and I stumbled through my recitation of Laurence Binyon’s fourth stanza of his 'To the Fallen' - The 'Ode of Remembrance':

"' They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn,
Lest we forget.'"

Our small group of pilgrims, from England Australia and the United States, led by the irrepressible and effervescent Martyn Hudson, stood silent before ‘Troopie’ each with our own deep emotions. It was an overwhelmingly poignant occasion, which was then wrapped up emotionally with some sensitive words from the Reverend Clive Larrett.

Martyn then said a few words about the site, with Troopie as its centrepiece, perhaps, in time, becoming a Rhodesian Services Shrine of Remembrance in the United Kingdom. I felt that the words, names, and the clear badges on the plaques surrounding the large solid black plinth made abundantly clear that our Memorial was singularly and powerfully to the fallen of our Rhodesian Light Infantry.

For those few who were once concerned about the ‘reconciliation and hope inscription’, as was I initially, I can assure you that inscription, to me, adds a small but significant dignity and integrity to the essence of the memorial, and again, to me, in no way demeans our Regiment or the men who had fallen serving in it. Also the inscription may help prevent anti-Rhodesia vandals despoiling the memorial. It has so far; and there are still many ‘socialists and lefties’ in the UK who still fanatically hate ‘Old Rhodesia’ and what we stood and fought for.

Therefore, I wholeheartedly and warmly congratulate all those who were involved in the development of the site, to Lord Salisbury, for his moral support and generosity, and to those many who contributed financially. Particularly I mention those who did the job with such brilliance, panache and dedication led by Martyn and Maggie Hudson, Mark and Diane Pilbeam, Shaun and Annette Ryan, and their cohorts. All of us who once served in the RLI must be eternally grateful for their creativity, dedication to our Regiment and their sheer hard work. Martyn Hudson’s indefatigable energy, careful planning and supreme dedication, while under severe health traumas, deserves our special thanks and heartiest congratulations.

Troopie now stands tall, proud and dominant. He represents singularly and emotively not only all of those of our battalion who died in action, but also, subliminally, all of us who served together wherever and whenever within our battalion. Troopie truly and splendidly also symbolizes the grand spirit and ethos of ‘Old Rhodesia’ and all who served her militarily.

Let me add this. Without the inspiration and initiative of Charlie Aust, the creativity of Jerry Strong, the moral support and generosity of Lord and Lady Salisbury, the personal financial support, energy, creativity and organisation of Martyn Hudson, the moral and active support of the Museum Trust of Rhodesian Army Association (UK), and, again, the wonderful financial support from so many loyal ouens around the world, Troopie might still be lying, uncared for, forgotten, broken, grimy and dusty, in a back store room at the British Commonwealth Museum in Bristol.

Susan and I also saw the RLI Queen’s and Regimental Colours displayed splendidly and dramatically in the Salisbury Family’s Chapel within Hatfield House. As they say these days: They were ‘awesome!’ Again, ‘well done’ to all those concerned.

Well done all those Ouens! Well done the UK Branch of the RLIRA ;

'March on the Saints !'

'Digger' Essex-Clark.

Re dedication weekend

Alan Dongworth

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Bloody well done

Gordon Harland

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A line to say thankyou

Steve Kitching

Stan Warnick

Jerry Strong

Rory O'Beara

Best wishes for the Re-dedication of the Troopie

Cheers Quentin Fourie

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Thanks for your great organization

Glynn Cohen

Renee Porter

Simon McIlwaine

Congratulations and Well done

Mike Sageantes

Willie Mohan

Richard and Eileen Hill

AS KINGSTON

Natalie Brown

Troopie Re-Dedication

Paul and Anne Cook

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Troopie Re-Dedication

David Monks

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From the Austs

Pam and Charlie Aust

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Rededication ceremony

Jono lane

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Greetings

Neil Davidson & Mike Day

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I missed the Rededication

J. H. Cole

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Aaah zero this is 74

Willar

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Re- Dedication weekend Raffle Prizes WINNERS

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Trooper Statue Hatfield

Charles Douthit

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Thank you letter to Lord Salisbury

Ian Buttenshaw

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A Personal Recollection – Trooper Re-dedication Hatfield

Neill Storey

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'Stand Still the Holy Ghost for Jesus will inspect'__________________.well I reckon he did just that last weekend as the 'ouens' gathered at the Ramada Hotel in Hatfield for the re-dedication of The Trooper statue.

From the time we checked into the hotel early Saturday afternoon to when we fell out after lunch on Sunday the emotional senses had received a battering. From the initial scanning in the bar and at lunch of now lined and etched faces searching for comrades not seen for 30 years, to the pleasure at finding one,or two,or even three. After lunch we retired to a conference room for the AGM – very efficiently handled by George Dempster as a last minute replacement for Martyn Hudson who was in hospital. I suspect partly (or wholly) as a result of the strain he had been under in recent weeks.

Shaun Ryan read a message from Ian Buttenshaw the Chairman of the RLI RA who unfortunately could not attend due to passport difficulties. One of the more venerable RLI Association members gave us some background on the previous Association and the difficulty finding the Colours which had been hidden for safekeeping under some vestments in the Anglican Cathedral. Our new Patron Ron Reid-Daly was introduced and received a warm reception.He said a few words and described how, after some difficult discussions with General Pretorius of the SADF about the display of the Trooper, he was finally asked to take the statue away immediately. An effort to clean the Trooper by some well meaning 'ouens' had resulted in trampled flowerbeds! Although I never served with General Ron it was obvious that in spite of the march of time the iron fist in a velvet glove was still present.

Amongst other items there was some discussion about finding a suitable permanent home for the RLI memorabilia which future generations could have an opportunity to see. In the middle of the AGM Martyn Hudson arrived to spontaneous applause having discharged himself from hospital ( where he probably should have remained) and we hope he has not worsened his condition by staying out until Sunday evening. After wrapping up the AGM we all retired to the bar. Additional staff had to be called in to cope with demand and we spent a very pleasant afternoon catching up with old colleagues. In many cases 30 odd years worth.This was followed by dinner & disco. Mention has to be made of the amazing deal Martyn & Co managed to negotiate at the hotel. We had a bed in a 4 star hotel with 4 meals (2 lunches,a dinner & breakfast) & wine on the table at lunch & dinner for £67 – incredible.

Sunday morning was cool,bright and sunny and so it remained for the rest of a wonderful day. With the clockwork precision we were now beginning to take for granted the coaches were lined up at 0845 and we filed,some more bleary eyed than others, into our allocated bus. The numbers were swelled by those who had come down to Hatfield for the day including the last RSM Ken Reid. A short ride to the magnificent Hatfield House and its grounds, ancestral home of the Cecil family and the current Marquess of Salisbury. He is the brother of journalist & war correspondent Lord Richard Cecil who was killed in action during an RLI contact in 1978.I remember meeting him and thinking he was a good 'oke'. He had been Para trained in the British Army and jumped with us.

On the steps of the house stood a colour party with the Rhodesian Army Association and other Colours flanked by buglers from the Band and Bugles of the Rifles. After a fanfare we all entered the house and filed into the Chapel and the adjoining Armoury. The walls of the Armoury were covered in ancient suits of armour and weaponry and there were plasma TV screens to relay the service taking place in the chapel. The small chapel was magnificent. The fixtures, fittings and decoration were hundreds of years old and there, mounted in glass cases at the rear of the chapel, were the RLI Queens Colour and Regimental Colour. The huge stained glass window behind the altar was bathed in sunshine and splendid. I particularly enjoyed one of the depictions which included a severed head held aloft on the tip of a sword. Unfortunately the biblical event/title was in Latin so more research or help from Clive Larrett needed there!

The service was ably led by Rev Clive Larrett. His sermon was excellent and appropriate - alluding to the Israelite army carrying large stones across the River Jordan and building a memorial on the other side. Other highlights were a resplendent lone piper (where was Alan Gerrish?) and a beautifully sung ode, without accompaniment, by Isla St. Clair. The buglers rendition of the Last Post and Reveille from the upper gallery of the Chapel filled the small space to bursting. From the house the coaches took us through the grounds and sun dappled woods of the estate and a short walk down to the banks of the river where facing a lake stood The Trooper covered in a green and white flag. The setting looked perfect with the tranquil expanse of water to the front and the woods behind.

After a prayer by Rev Larrett , Lt. Col. 'Charlie' Aust gave a fine speech. I hope a copy will become available. I was standing next to Isla St. Clair and when she got out the tissues I was failing to keep it together. After a few words from the Marquess of Salisbury the statue was unveiled. Newly coated and repaired The Trooper looked brand new mounted on a substantial plinth with two plaques on the front. I think the upper, larger. plaque referred to 'greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends' and the lower smaller plaque made the controversial reference to peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe. On each end of the plinth was a large reproduction of the regimental badge and on the back of the plinth a Roll of Honour with all the numbers names and dates of our brave colleagues tragically killed in action.

After more prayers from Clive various wreaths were laid and we were treated to an impressive parade/retreat by the Band and Buglers of the Rifles. How on earth they managed to play their instruments so well whilst parading back and forth on wet damp grass and at the double (140 paces a minute I read somewhere) was impressive. A good verse or two of The Saints,which I suspect they learnt for the occasion, and a rendering of Zorba the Greek stand out. It was then time for photographs in front of the statue and looking for the names of those you knew on the Roll of Honour. Coaches back to the hotel where the bar was hectic once again. This was followed by lunch and the 'high table' included Mrs Salt (widow of the late Col. Salt –first CO of the RLI) who had made a great effort to get to Hatfield. Speeches from Martyn Hudson, Pat Lawless on behalf of the Rhodesian Army Association and an emotional one from Ron Reid-Daly. He described how he was struggling to get a grip discipline wise on the founder members of the unit at Brady Barracks and a senior NCO from Ireland told him he had the makings of a fine regiment – and so it came to pass.

During lunch we had been warned that we might have to debus into the car park at short notice and on call everyone streamed out not knowing what it was about. The familiar rumble then roar as a Dak suddenly appeared over the roof of the hotel and made several passes at around a 1000 ft.The rear door was off and there was a crew member waving to us from the door. For me another very emotional moment and a wonderful finale to an extraordinary day. Raffle and auction wrapped up the formalities and then it was sadly time to part company, hopefully not for such a long time.

To all those involved in the organisation of the day all I can say is a huge thank you for your unbelievable effort to ensure such an immaculate weekend.The committee of Martyn,Mark,Clive ,Nigel & and your families - you can be very proud of what you achieved. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Martyn – job done. Most of all 'The Trooper' is now in a safe and very pleasant spot, not far from London and easily accessible to anyone visiting the UK. For those overseas members and those who unfortunately weren't able to attend a sadness that they could not share with us such a special day.

The whole event had a film crew in attendance so hopefully a video record will be available soon.

Neill Storey

RLI Colours at Service of Remembrance

Dave

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Re-Dedication of the RLI Trooper

Rusty Theobald

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On Saturday 27 September 2008 Shirley, Sarah and I travelled to Hatfield, Herefordshire England to attend a service for the Laying-up of the Queen's and Regimental Colours of the Rhodesian Light Infantry, also the unveiling and re-dedication of the RLI Trooper Statue.

Although Hatfield is only just over a one hour drive from Aldershot, it was an early start on the Sunday morning, so a night-stop was called for.

This service was carried out in the Chapel and the Armoury of Hatfield House by kind permission of the Marquess of Salisbury. Salisbury in Rhodesia was named after his family and the Marques's brother who was a member of the RLI was killed in action.

The Sunday started at the 'Comet Hotel' in Hatfield town centre. The hotel was named after the world's first jet engine airliner which was manufactured by the local De Havilland aircraft company. Although the hotel is called the 'Comet', the king size model of an aircraft sitting on the top of a pole in the forecourt is that of a De Havilland 'Dove' or it's sister aircraft for which I cannot remember it's name .

There were over one hundred and fifty RLI members and visitors being registered, and in so doing, receiving a complimentary bag containing a souvenir program, an RLI glass tankard and were given a clip-on lapel name tag plus the extra security protection of a plastic RLI wrist band. (The type put on in hospitals when going for an operation) this tag was green and had the picture of the trooper statue on it.

We were taken by four coaches to main entrance of Hatfield House where the steps were graced by six standard bearers holding the flags of the Rhodesian Light Infantry and also eight buglers of the 'Rifles' who played a fanfare to invite us in.

The chapel is big for the household but too small to seat one hundred and fifty botties, so well over one hundred of us (the overflow) were seated in the armoury. Sarah was fortunate enough to be seated immediately behind Col Ron Reid-Daly and we were lucky to be able to converse with him before they found him and moved him post haste to the upper echelon of the chapel.

There were four large television screens in the armoury so that we could see and hear the service. The two venues were next to each other and connected by a short passage. So short in fact that when Pipe Major John Spoor in his splendid Scottish regalia played the bagpipes and marched from the armoury into the short passage to the chapel, in doing so he disappeared from our sight and immediately re-appeared on our television screens

After this part of the service we went back to our coaches and were transported to the bank of the River Lee where the Trooper statue was draped in the Green and White. After a short service and speeches which mentioned the Rhodesian Air Force and it's air cover and helicopter transportation into forward areas. The Marquess of Salisbury then unveiled the Trooper Statue with the Last Post played by the buglers of the Rifles Band. Many wreaths of flames lillies were laid at the base of the statue.

Following this we were entertained by the playing and marching of the Rifles Band and Buglers.

The Trooper Statue is sighted on a wide grass bank with it's back to a commercial forest of tall straight pine trees, fronted by a copse of deciduous trees. The statue faces out across the River Lee to the far bank where the deciduous trees were turning into their autumn colours.

I am pleased to say that on, what some call, Mud Island we had a grand day of complete sunshine.

With about 150 RLI and their visitors returning by the coaches to the Comet Hotel bar, all at the same time, it was complete chaos, I am sure the bar staff did not know what had hit them.

We were then ushered into the dining room where we were seated at round tables of ten, only one couple on our table was from the RLI. There was a fly pass by a Dakota but it did not have the spot on timing of the Rhodesian Air force in that, during more speeches, lunch was announced by the hotel staff and at the same time the Dakota flew over in it's first of four or five passes. Needless to say nearly everyone gapped it to the car park. Being air force, been there, done that, seen a Dak before, I was one of the first in the lunch queue.

The fly past was eventually followed by an excellent lunch and after more speeches a RLI World Wide Raffle was drawn for many prizes. Although I had a wishbone in my quarter of chicken, no prizes came to our table of ten.

It turned out to be a grand weekend and just after 4 o'clock the Theobalds headed back to Aldershot with Sarah driving, there were bottles of wine on all the tables.

Distributed to ORAFs and Friends.
Special thank you to Rusty Theobald for making these photos and his thoughts available to ORAFs. Thank you Rusty.
This article is No. 108 in Rusty's collection of memories from his Service Days.
http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=343855#411111

Colour Party on the 26th September 2008

Gordon Harland

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Thanks for a great week end it was good to see the Doc

I had the privilege of being in the colour party on the 26th September 2008, thinking that the last time the colours were on display on this scale was 28 years ago in Rhodesia. Now 28 years later just 15 minutes down the road from where I left England to go to Rhodesia I was holding the colours of my Battalion, it's a funny old world.

I had a different few of the Re-dedication. It started in the Comet Hotel when we as a colour party got together for the first time. We had been given a quick brief as to what to do. The mini bus arrived on we got, then down to Hatfield House Hertfordshire. Once again a quick discussion as to what we were going to do. Then a rehearsal. Standing proudly on the steps of Hatfield House with the bugles below looking out at the people getting off the coaches. There was a look on there faces that I hope was court on video of shear disbelief. As the bugles sounded the all went quiet. I then gave the order for the colour party to inwards turn we then marched into the armoury. The colour party sat three either side of the organ, looking out over the congregation. Eyes were on the Battalion colours for most of the service. The singing in the armoury was not up to much as most of the ouens had there eyes on the colours. My thoughts were, what is running thru there mines, each one of them with a different thought going back 28, 35, 40 plus years. You could see by the glazed look on there faces that they were in a world of there own. The bugle sounded last post, handkerchiefs were out. Some big men, fearless in there day were wiping away more than a few tears. I gave the order, colours stand, forward and lead the colour party out of the armoury. As I lead the way out I could see ouens bracing up, chests out, standing tall. A filling of pride in themselves of what they had achieved. We won the war they lost the peace. This put a lump in my throat.

Onto the mini bus and down to the Troopie.

A perfect setting, remember, that Cecil Rhodes was born at Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire just 20 minutes down the road. Once again a quick rehearsal. We stood there in the English country side with the sun shining down on us. As the congregation arrived people were looking around I could hear them talking, what a place, couldn't be better, one lady looked around and started crying its lovely just lovely. My mind was going ten to the dozen, this is it, after 28 years, all the trials and tribulations, all that people had been through, all the politics, the Troopie has a permanent home. In a few minutes the Troopie will be re-dedicated no matter what is written on the base the solider on top of it is a Rhodesian Light Infantry Trooper no matter what, that will never change. The service started all was going well the Troopie was unveiled. People were moving about taking photos. Then the wreaths were laid and the sombre music was played no one moved, sun glasses were pulled down over eyes, handkerchiefs were out again this time not just the men. Remember I was out in front and could see it all, until my eyes started to glaze over. That was my part in the re-dedication.

Back at the hotel sitting with Doc Webster the words contact, contact as we bundled out into the car park looking up into the blue sky as the Dak flew over,. It may only be a Dak to the Blue Jobs but to us in the RLI, standing in to door with a fire fight going on down below, waiting for the red on green on GO. Seeing the dispatcher waving in the door. Another lump in the throat. I have come to the conclusion that you can leave the RLI but the RLI will never leave you.

Remembrance Day in on Sunday 9th November at 11 00hrs Least we forget.

Gordon Harland

A well planned and organised weekend

Neil Davidson

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Mike Borlace Writes

Mike Borlace

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