The Royal Anglian’s Regimental Association Blenheim Day

On Sunday 13th August, by kind invitation of the Regimental Association, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, escorted by the Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary, attended a special service at the Church of Transfiguration, Kempston, which has a long association with the Bedfordshire Regiment.

After the service, Representatives of the Association and their guests attended a special remembrance service in the Garden of Remembrance which is situated behind the Regiment’s memorial, just opposite the Keep, and then The Mayor of Kempston, Terri Conway, dedicated the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee tree, which had been planted earlier this year.

Following the ceremony, a dinner was held at the Keep during which there was a presentation about the Battle of Blenheim – a battle honour for the regiment.

In 1704 the 16th Regiment of Foot, later the Beds and Herts Regiment, were instrumental in the defeat of the Franco-Bavarian army at the village of Blenheim, during the war of Spanish Succession. The overwhelming victory was the turning point in the war which halted French expansion in Europe and permanently altered the political structure of the continent.

The Regiment’s special day was a very enjoyable occasion and well organised, thanks to the hard work of the Branch Secretary Basil Hirniak and members of the Association.

And of course, a big thank you to the caterer Elliot and his team for the marvellous dinner!