Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry - SCLI - 6 October 1959

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Brief History of the SCLI

Foreword
by Brigadier A.I.H. Fyfe DL

SCLI in Osnabruck... More

SCLI in Gibraltar... More

SCLI in Tobruk... More

SCLI in Berlin... More

SCLI in Gravesend... More

SCLI in Aden... More

SCLI Memoirs

Screen Savers

Should any ex SCLI wish to trace old pals Email site curator (Keith) .. with full name (not nicknames) and area last known, I will see what I can do.

Northern Ireland
Special Notice

The Northern Ireland page remains but will probably not been updated. As the Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry (SCLI) became the Light Infantry (LI) on the 10 July 1968 just before doing a tour in Northern Ireland.

But for the information it already contains it was decided not to totally remove the content from this site. As it was felt that it may useful for people doing research on the Light Infantry in Northern Ireland.

Books

"One and All" by Hugo White

Review by Richard Holmes

The real merit of the British infantry across the centuries has been to preserve qualities when organisations change, for change they must in a world where few things are constant. But none of this stopped me having to blink rather hard when I saw the photograph of Colonel Williams leading his troops out of the depot at Bodmin for the last time.

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What this website is all about

The SCLI Colours in Truro Cathedral

Click image to enlarge

The SCLI Colours that were presented at Europa Gibraltar 1962 (Photo supplied by Stephen Taylor)

Somerset & Cornwall Latest Posting

Fly Fishing

If any of you are seriously interested in Fly Fishing, Tom Hill is offering reduced rates to any veterans or serving personnel at his Devon Fly Fishing School. If you email him he will reply with the rates he is offering - Email Tom

Devon Fly Fishing School.

REUNION 2009

Click to enlarge - pic by Rex Brain.

Each reunion I attend I think to myself this is it - the best - and each year it surpasses itself in warmth and camaraderie. This year was no exception and we all saw some new faces and old friends, coming together to enjoy each others company for those few precious hours.

Several times I was approached and told that they felt sure this website has helped a lot in holding us all together, yes I have spent a lot of time seeking out ex SCLI - recent finds Den McCarthy & Cyril Butler - but the vast amount of work put in by Lawrie Hodges and Debbie Young makes the Reunion possible. This website takes this opportunity to thank them both for all their hard work on behalf of us all.

One senior officer told me he was simply stunned, he had heard the SCLI reunion was good, but he did not realise just how good it was in bringing together all the LI family.

We all look forward to the Sept 12th - SCLI 50 - at Wells. - Keith.

A message from Lawrie Hodges.

To all those who have sent me emails etc expressing their thanks following the Reunion I thank you 'One and All' for your kind words. I think that this was possibly the best Reunion that we have had so far as regards numbers attending, this was in spite of a number who failed to turn up on the night due to sudden medical problems. Their absence was supplemented by others who attended and paid on entry. We therefore exceeded last years record attendance of 161 by 7. I have passed on my thanks on your behalf to Lyn who does the Catering every year for us and also to Sue who organises the Bar Staff. I don't think that anyone can have any complaints for the way they look after us. Its a great venue for our get together and creates a good atmosphere. I have already been in contact with Debbie and we will shortly commence initial planning for next years Reunion.
My Best Regards To You All, Lawrie.

REUNION 2009 PICTURES

SCLI News Page

50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORMATION OF THE SOMERSET AND CORNWALL LIGHT INFANTRY - WELLS – SATURDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2009

Addressees are aware of the regimental intent to hold a 50th anniversary celebration of the formation of the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry (SCLI 50). SCLI 50 will also be an opportunity to mark the passing of two famous regiments, namely The Somerset Light Infantry and The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and to support The Rifles. Consequently the theme for the day will be ‘celebrating the past, looking to the future’. The celebration will take place in Wells on Saturday 12th September 2009 and all indications are the event will be very popular. So far Association members who have expressed an interest in the day, together with their family members, number 500.

In order that detailed planning can now begin it is time for individuals and groups to purchase tickets and register their participation. Trustees of the Light Infantry Regimental Association (Somerset) and the Somerset and Cornwall Regimental Fund have agreed to fund a significant portion of the expense that will be incurred. Consequently plan on costs being:

· £10.00 per person to attend lunch in the Bishop’s Palace Garden
· Money for the lunchtime cash bar
· Collection money for departing collection at the Cathedral. The collection will benefit the Army Benevolent Fund and The Rifles Benevolent Fund
· Parking, should you need or choose to use a public car park, within Wells

The detailed instruction will be sent out with tickets in late July. The outline programme is:

· 1100 to 1130 - Parade on Cathedral Green
· 1200 to 1245 - Cathedral Service
· 1300 to 1500 - Lunch (ticket holders only) and visit gardens
· 1515 to 1545 - Sounding Retreat and thereafter disperse

Prior to Friday 17th July you are asked to return the attached proforma with an appropriate cheque made payable to Light Infantry Regimental Association (Somerset).

Yours Sincerely

Michael Motum
RETURN PROFORMA TO: The Rifles Office, 14 Mount Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3QB - Tel: 01823 333434 – aotaunton@the-rifles.co.uk

RESPONSE PROFORMA - SCLI 50

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Berets.

I t is down to the individual as to whether they wear berets or not. There is no requirement to do so, but a lot who have a beret will wear it. For those who want to purchase Light Infantry Berets they are available from Harvey Malcolm Liverpool Tel: 0151 236 3086 cost including postage £17.00.

Medals by: Lawrie Hodges.

Medals again is a choice of the individual. Some have been awarded medals and never wear them whilst others do. On an occasion like this medals should be worn. Medals purchased such as the NS and BAOR are frowned upon. Having said that, on numerous occasions at the LI Reunion in Shrewsbury when on parade, I have seen many wearing such medals, but I have never heard an inspecting officer asking anyone to remove them. If you have one wear it. Its about time we were issued with medals anyway, having had to give up two years of our lives for Queen and Country.

Please keep this day free and come to Wells.

Webmaster Notice

Please note that SSAFA will help Ex Servicemen who have a problem, its no good going to your old Regt.HQ. they do not have funds to help.

SSAFA Website

The confidential support line is 0800 731 4880

SCLI in Colour

This site is devoted to the history of the regiment from 1959 to 1968. If you served in the Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry (SCLI) during those years the webmaster (ex SCLI) would like to hear from you with any memories of especially 1963 to 1968. Pictures are especially welcome. e-mail

The Parent Regiments

The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

The Somerset Light Infantry

I appeal to any ex members of the SCLI whatever your rank to help build this site as a lasting memory of a great regiment. Please contact the site curator. All pages will be added to on a continual basis, so check back often.

The 1st Battalion The Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry served at Osnabruck until June 1961, when it moved, by way of Plymouth to Gibraltar.It is interesting to note that as Barrymore's (13th) Foot and Fox's Marines, the two parent regiments first met (and shared the same battle honour) at Gibraltar. Gibraltar Day is now celebrated annually on 6th October as the Regimental Day of Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry. The old Regimental Days of Jellalabad, Lucknow and Paardeburg are still remembered, with short histories published in Battalion Orders.

Among the distinctions brought from its parent regiments, the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry has the Royal Blue Facings and Royal Bugle Cords of the Somerset Light Infantry, the red patch commemorating the red feathers of the Light Company of the 46th Foot (later the 2nd Battalion the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry) and the privilege of wearing the sash knotted on the right side ,a unique distinction usually associated with the gallantry of the 13th Foot at Culloden.The green head-dress, whistle cord and No 1 Dress Uniform are common to all Light Infantry Regiments.The parent Regiments were raised: in 1685 as Huntingdon's Foot (now The Somerset Light Infantry), in 1702, as Fox's Marines, and in 1740 as the 57th (later renumbered 46th)(1st and 2nd Battalions The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry). Their names remain the names of the two Territorial Army Battalions.

The 1st Battalion received Colours in May 1962 whilst stationed in Gibraltar, the Colours being presented on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen by Field Marshal The Lord Harding of Petherton. The 1st Battalion served in West Berlin, Gravesend and Aden before becoming part of the new Regiment in 1968.

In 1968.07.10 1st Battalion, The Light Infantry redesignated upon formation of "large" regiment from Light Infantry Brigade.

	LI Assoc. (South Somerset Branch). Monthly meetings held at Yeovil Ex-Services and Social Club, Grove House, Preston Rd, Yeovil First Wednesday of the month. - 01935 472258
	LI Assoc. ( Taunton Branch )We meet at Jellalabad House, 14 Mount Street, Taunton, on the last Wednesday of every month, ( apart from December ) at 1930hrs. Contact Lawrie Hodges on Taunton 01823-279109. Click HERE for more information
	LI Assoc. (Bristol Branch). We meet at the TA centre in Whiteladies Rd. Bristol on the third Thursday of every month, next meeting Jan 2008. There are lots of ex LI men in and around Bristol we could do with your support. 0117 9861674
	LI Assoc. (Bodmin). Meetings Quarterly Contact the Secretary Mr M Vigus Tel 01726 852640

NEWS

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[14th Sept 2005]

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Subject: New Message Forum

There is now a new message forum, free from those annoying pop-ups and adverts, it has been supplied due to the generous donations of SCLI & LI veterans.