The Rifles granted Freedom of the City (From Hereford Times)

The Rifles granted Freedom of the City

7:20pm Saturday 19th July 2008 in News By Richard Winterbourn

REGIMENTAL colleagues who fought together over 60 years ago met again in Hereford today (Saturday) for the laying-up of the colours of the 3rd Battalion, The Light Infantry.

The colours were handed over in a ceremony full of pageant and colour on the city's Castle Green to the deputy Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Mrs SPA Daniels who then granted the Freedom of the City to the The Rifles, the regiment which was formed by the amalagamation of the Light Infantry and the Royal Green Jackets.

After the ceremony. The Rifles exercised their right to march through the streets of the city before an official reception was held in the Shirehall.

Included in the march-past were four Hereford soldiers, Lnce Cpl Scott Prince amd Rflmn Scott Jenkins, Jonathon Roche and Michael Harris who are all currently based with the battalion in Edinburgh.

The day had brought together many former members of the Herefordshire Regiment who served during the Second Wold War, including Major Ken Crockford, who travelled to the city from Godalming for the occasion.

Now aged 85, Major Crockford still represents the regiment overseas and he annually visits war graves in both France and Holland to lay wreaths in memory of regimental colleagues who died in action.

"In 1974 for the 50th anniversary of our action in France, 180 former soldiers attended these ceremonies," he said.

"In 2004 there were just five of us, but this year, it was just me. There is no-one left now."

Major Crockford has already laid a wreath in the Normandy town of Cerisey this year and in September he will visit Holland to lay wreaths on behalf of the Herefordshire Regiment at three cemeteries there.