Royal visit for the Rifles and families (From Salisbury Journal)

Royal visit for the Rifles and families

4:50pm Tuesday 9th February 2010 in News By Karen Bate

SOUTH Wiltshire regiment the Rifles welcomed its Royal Colonel today when The Duchess of Cornwall visited Bulford Camp.

Along with the soldiers from the 4th Battalion The Rifles, the Duchess came to visit their families and the children at Kiwi Primary School and The Beeches Family Centre.

Wrapped up against the cold in a black coat with fur trim, the Duchess was greeted by the commanding officer of 4 Rifles, Lt Col Rupert Jones and the Buglers playing the Welcoming Call.

It was all smiles as she arrived at the school, where more than 90 per cent of pupils are from army families, and she was presented with a posy of flowers by Delecia Ashley McLean and Alex Amos, both nine.

The Duchess chatted animatedly to the children, asking them if they drew their fathers plenty of pictures while in Afghanistan.

At a special assembly, six children were presented with certificates, before the pupils performed their own specially created pop song Give It All You’ve Got.

Headteacher Susan Raeburn said: “Kiwi school has had a tough time recently and this visit is a great morale boost for the children and staff.”

Since May 2009 members of 4 Rifles have been deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan. The Battalion is two-thirds of the way through its current commitment, with A Company still deployed.

Alicia Davis, who met the Duchess with baby Brandon, told The Journal that her husband Jamie, a rifleman, is fighting in Afghanistan.

“We miss him dreadfully,” she said, “the Duchess’ visit is so up lifting. It is wonderful that she takes the time to visit us.”