INTRODUCTION

As a regiment we pride ourselves on looking out for members of our regimental family.  Cases of hardship and need, which occur in the normal run of events within the family, are usually quickly and proactively managed through the usual channels of the chain of command, SSAFA and The Royal British Legion. However, when these cases of hardship arise outside the family, the regimental system often has difficulty finding out about problems and is therefore unable to help.  

As a result all members of the regimental family, past or present, should be alert for cases of hardship, which need and want assistance, and take the time and trouble to bring these, in confidence, to the attention to their local Rifles Regional Office, RHQ in Winchester or appropriate Battalion Welfare Office.    These regimental offices will then advise the subject as to where they should seek help . 

Where financial help is appropriate, the Rifles Benevolence Trust may make a contribution to any sums disbursed.  The full charter for The Rifles Benevolence Trust can be downloaded in PDF form by clicking here.

Finally if you have a problem with which you need help don't be too proud to ask.  The benevolence system is here to help 

 

WHERE TO SEEK ADVICE AND HELP

The following is a guide as to where to report problems or seek help and advice depending on the circumstances of the case:

Serving members of  battalions and their dependants should contact  their battalion welfare offices

Serving members of the regiment and their dependents who are deployed away from the Rifles Family  should initially contact the welfare office of the unit to which they are posted.  It may also be helpful to inform RHQ and the battalion from which they are detached if there is any doubt about where the responsibility lies or if no satisfactory help is received.

Dependants of serving soldiers who cannot contact their relative or their relative's unit should go to the nearest Rifles Office and seek advice and help to do this.

Retired members of the regiment and their dependants should initially seek help from SSAFA and The Royal British Legion (and in the case of officersThe Officers Association) failing that advice should be sought at their nearest Rifles County office.

 

CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR BATTALION WELFARE OFFICES

1 RIFLES:  Working Hours - Welfare Office -  01291 645 216. Out of Hours - Guardroom (ask for Duty officer) 01291 645 220.

2 RIFLES:  Working Hours - Welfare Office - 02844 610 297  Out of Hours - Guardroom (ask for Duty Officer) 02844 610 285.

3 RIFLES:  Working Hours  - Welfare Office - 01313 105 359. Out of Hours - Guardroom(ask for duty officer) – 01313 105 339.

4 RIFLES:  Working Hours - Welfare Office - 01980 672 264 . Out of Hours - Guardroom(ask for duty officer) - 01980 672 794

5 RIFLES . Working Hours - Welfare Office - 0049 5251 101 582  Out of Hours - Guardroom(ask for duty officer) - 0049 5251 101 534

6 RIFLES  Working Hours only 01392 492 420

7 RIFLES  Working Hours only 0118 9530 230
 

RIFLES REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AND CITY/COUNTY OFFICES LOCATION INFORMATION

Winchester: Short Block, Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hanbts SO23 8TS - 01962 828527
  E-mail:  rhq@the-rifles.co.uk  

Bodmin:  The Keep, The Barracks, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1EG - 01208 72810
  E-mail: bodmin@the-rifles.co.uk

Durham:  Elvet Waterside, Durham City, Co Durham DH1 3BW - 0191 3865496
  E-mail: durham@the-rifles.co.uk

Exeter:  Wyvern Bks, Exeter, Devon EX2 6AR - 01392 492434
  Email: exeter1@the-rifles.co.uk  and exeter2@the-rifles.co.uk
  
Gloucester:  Custom House, 31 Commercial Rd, Gloucester GL1 2HE - 01452 522682
  Email: regimental-secretary@rgbw.army.mod.uk

London:  52-56 Davies St, London W1K 5HR - 0207 4914936
  Email: london@the-rifles.co.uk

Oxford:  Edward Brooks Bks, Cholswell Rd, Shippon, Abingdon, Oxon, OX13 6JB - Tel TBN
  Email: oxford@the-rifles.co.uk

Pontefract:  Minden House, Wakefield Rd, Pontefract, W Yorks WF8 4ES - 01977 703181
  Email: yorkshire@the-rifles.co.uk

Salisbury:  The Wardrobe, 58 The Close, Salisbury, Wilts SP1 2EX - 01722 414536
  Email: salisbury@the-rifles.co.uk

Shrewsbury:  Copthorne Bks, Shrewsbury, SY3 8LZ - 01743 262425
  Email: shrewsbury@the-rifles.co.uk

Taunton:  14 Mount St, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3QE - 01823 333434
  Email: taunton@the-rifles.co.uk