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Captain Bill (Dutch) Holland from E Company 7 Rifles, John Howard Barracks in Milton Keynes and C/Sjt Barry (Baz) Street from F Company 7 Rifles, Davis Street London have represented the RIFLES & SSAFA on this tough 1500 mile, two weeks in the saddle through Europe to Buckinghamshire cycle ride. The RIFLES were established on the 1 Feb 2007. Forming regiments were Devon and Dorset Light Infantry, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, The Light Infantry and The Royal Green Jackets. Today we have 5 Regular Battalions and 2 Territorial Battalions as well as 2 Independent Companies and over 100 affiliated Army Cadet Battalions. RIFLES have experienced a high operational tempo since just before and after the formation of the regiment. Chosen Men of our two TA Battalions have and will continue to deploy with their regular Battalions throughout future conflicts and wars. The regiment has had a true baptism of fire, which has helped it bond early on in its existence through a common operational war experience. Hardly a patrol in their current and operational theatres returns to base without having had some sort of contact or fire fight often at uncomfortably close quarters, employing every weapon carried or at their disposal. All 7 battalions have suffered many causalities both KIA and seriously injured; our hearts go out to their families and loved ones at this difficult time, Rifleman Andrew Fentiman was killed last year from E Company 7 Rifles serving with 3 Rifles in Helmond. I have compleated this cycle ride in Andrew Fentiman’s memory please follow this link to donate now. Thank you http://www.justgiving.com/Bill-Dutch-Holland

 

The route of our Cycle ride will pass many old Peninsula War and World War 1 and 2 sites that are documented in the past history of the RIFLES. One site in particular will include the famous “Pegasus Bridge” and “Horsa Bridge” across the Caen and Orne Canal. We cycle across Pegasus and Horsa Bridge towards the end of our ride through France. On 6 June “D-Day” 1944 members of D Coy 2 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in 6 gliders landed around Pegasus and Orne bridges. Major John Howard was the leader in charge of this critical mission which was the beginning of the end of the Second World War and vital to the success of the beach landings and breakout into France of our troops. If you wish to follow our training please follow this link http://www.rockride.eu/