Monthly Feature

Monthly Feature

March 2023

A Rest on Exercise

This month's features shows a group of soldiers having 'a lunch break' whilst on exercise or shooting camp.

On the left is Jack Greenhouse, CSM of D (Leominster) Company. The others are unknown but presumed all to be from D Coy.

They wear the capbadge of The Herefordshire Light Infantry and the photo is thought to have been taken in the late 1950s.

The officer (Lieutenant) appears to be wearing the Korean War Medal ribbons.

The British and United Nations Korean War medals. Unusual for British medal awards, both medals, issued for the same conflict, are authorised for wear.
The British and United Nations Korean War medals. Unusual for British medal awards, both medals, issued for the same conflict, are authorised for wear.

February 2023

First Annual Camp 1908

After formation in 1908 The Battalion's first annual camp was a recruiting march around the county.

The Hereford Times issued a special supplement to cover the parade
The Hereford Times issued a special supplement to cover the parade
The Battalion marching through Ledbury, photographed by Luke Tilley, en route for an ovenight camp spot in Bosbury.
The Battalion marching through Ledbury, photographed by Luke Tilley, en route for an ovenight camp spot in Bosbury.
The Battalion taking a rest - can any one tell us where this house is?
The Battalion taking a rest - can any one tell us where this house is?

January 2023

The Officers at Suvla Bay

This month's feature is a recently discovered photograph in the Imperial War Museum archives of a group of officers of the Herefordshire Regiment on board HTS Euripedes en route to Egypt and then Gallipoli. It shows the officers in mixed dress - some in khaki and some in khaki drill (KD) - their warm weather issue. Interestingly they are all wearing white deckshoes/plimsolls - clearly they were keen not to damage the decks with their hob nailed boots!

The second photo is reproduced from a contemporary newspaper article and is named showing the officers who landed at Suvla Bay and their fates.

It is interesting to attempt to match the 2 and put names to the officers photographed on the Euripedes.

Some Herefordshire Regiment Officers on HTS Euripedes
Some Herefordshire Regiment Officers on HTS Euripedes
HTS Euripedes
HTS Euripedes
Officers of The Herefordshire Regiment who served at Suvla Bay
Officers of The Herefordshire Regiment who served at Suvla Bay
The same photo - but poorer quality - with names.
The same photo - but poorer quality - with names.

December 2022

The Cyclist Company

The Herefordshire Rifle Volunteers were amongst the first units to form a Cyclist Company which took part in the first War Department Cyclist Camp held at Tintern in the Wye Valley.

The Company was used as 'Despatch Riders' and a mobile force. There is a story of a competition between cyclists and horses delivering a message from Ross On Wye (?) to Shrewsbury (?) and the story says the cyclists won!

The Cyclist Company Recruitment brochure
The Cyclist Company Recruitment brochure
A contemporary newspaper article reporting a training cycle ride.
A contemporary newspaper article reporting a training cycle ride.
The Ross On Wye Cyclist Section - Capt JF Cutler in command. Capt Cutler would later lead the Ross On Wye contingent that served in South Africa during the BOER War.
The Ross On Wye Cyclist Section - Capt JF Cutler in command. Capt Cutler would later lead the Ross On Wye contingent that served in South Africa during the BOER War.

October 2022

Exercising in Gibraltar

This month's feature includes 2 press reports of when soldiers from Hereford's C Coy 5 LI deployed to Gibraltar for their annual camp - probably in 1964 or 65.

The Hereford soldiers who deployed to Gibraltar.
The Hereford soldiers who deployed to Gibraltar.
The Hereford Times report on the Gibraltar deployment.
The Hereford Times report on the Gibraltar deployment.

September 2022

Reunion Dinner

This months feature is a photograph of a Reunion Dinner - the exact date is not known but in the 1950s or early 1960s.

Some of those that served in the Regiment in the Second World War have been identified and it looks as thought the table 'legs' are arranged by companies - the 'near' table being D (Leominster) Company with Jack Greenhouse (company sergeant major) and Bill Rollings (officer commanding) and Gerry Feltham.

A challenge - Can you identify any of the others?

Additonal Information

  • Monthly Podcast

  • Medals and the Man

  • The Camera Returns