THE DEVONSHIRE AND DORSET REGIMENT 11th, 39th, 54th of Foot

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Regimental Reunion 2008

This article was submitted by Major Matt Maynard RIFLES, at my request. 

Its what 'leading from the front', and commitment to 'ones men' is all about.  May others follow. 

Tony Thornburn Chairman

It is always a delight to get back to the Westcountry, and the more so if one is coming from the frantic city life of Glasgow. As I drove the road from Moretenhampstead to Princeton past the beautiful Dartmoor countryside, watching the lambs gambolling across the road and listening to a gentle argument on Radio Devon as to the spelling of ‘Stoke Canon’, I felt the weight fall from my shoulders. How different from the rattle and hum of our towns and cities which scarcely seem to rest from the perpetual wrenching and howling of the digital age detaching itself from the industrial.

My excursion to Devon gave me the long awaited opportunity of visiting a soldier from my old Company who has sadly found himself in Prison on Dartmoor, although I was heartened by conditions there (inmates who are clearly ‘good blokes’ are selected on merit to serve in the Resettlement Wing, and work in vocational jobs outside the walls by day to prepare for return to civilian life – ‘Just like Phase 1 Training’ as my young friend put it). If any of you pass through Dartmoor occasionally and would like to drop in on a Devon and Dorset down on his luck, do give me a shout and I will be happy to supply the details.

Then to the Regimental Reunion, which I found as moving, exhilarating and enjoyable as it always was. I was, as I hope were others, delighted at the turnout, which clearly cut the requisite dash through town, and appeared not to be too overshadowed by the previous parade of the newly promoted Exeter FC an hour before! As a serving Rifles Officer, I was delighted to answer many questions from the older association members about the new Regiment, and at the same time listen to their concerns about the future of the association. I am unshakeable in my belief that as long as there are D and Ds, we should seek to gather, to continue to act as the mutual support network that fighting men have needed in peace and war since soldiering began. My new found persona as a Rifles officer does not diminish my pride in having been a Devon and Dorset any less than it diminishes my pride in my old school or my family. I am determined that whilst looking forward, I will heed the words a wise man told me and not forget where I came from. Equally, General Shortis’ comment that the parade had to be supported by a certain number to remain viable hit home, and I would exhort my generation to attend if at all possible - I think we owe it to our association.

By far the most moving element of my trip was a visit to Cullompton on Sunday, where I dropped in to see the Coffey family. Dan ‘Kenco’ Coffey was a Private in A Coy 1 D and D on OP TELIC 6, where I enjoyed the privilege of being his OC. Tragically, he was killed in Basrah 3 weeks after amalgamation when he stayed on with 2 Rifles on a second tour. He is buried in the beautiful cemetery at Cullompton, and his family live not 300 metres away. I also swung by the war memorial where then town council had provided for his name to be inscribed next to those who had fallen in the great wars.

I think the visit to the Coffeys acted as an elixir for me to support the Association with greater efforts. Their dignity and compassion embodied what a family Regiment like the Devon and Dorsets actually means when you cut away the back slapping and the bonhomie: a deep sense of belonging, a sense of shared values, a sense of support, of being part of something larger than oneself. In his book ‘A Rumor of War’, Philip Caputo said:

‘I have attempted to describe the intimacy of life within an Infantry Battalion, where the communion between men is as profound as that between lovers. Indeed it is more so, since it demands none of the reciprocity or tokens of affection required between a man and woman. It cannot be broken by divorce, infidelity or boredom – only by death…’. 

On days like the reunion you need no more eloquent explanation of what he means – you can physically touch it. As I drove back up the M5 towards the vagaries of Terminal 5, I felt the communion recede behind me, and became the more determined to return next time to renew it. 

 The Cullompton War memorial with Dan Coffey’s name on it.  An outstanding gesture from the Town Council.  

Most Recent Regimental Events 

The Freedom of Weymouth - 15 Jun 08 

The Freedom of Torbay - 14 Jun 08 

Regimental Association Reunion  2008 

          Drum Major Cox leading the Salamanca Band                                                    The Standards

                  The Chairman leads Guard No 1                                                        'Stout Men and True'

 

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