The Duke of Wellington's Regiment Association (2026)

This Page is provided to act as a focal point for the Regimental Association of The Duke of Wellington's Regiment and it's members - a sounding board for feeling, points of view and ideas. It is hoped to publish items of interest to Dukes from the Regiment and associated units - friends and families.

31/08/2026

WO1(RSM) Dek Allen – Funeral Details.

It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the death of our dear friend Dek Allen.

Dek served with the Dukes from 1969 to 1994 – from boy soldier at 16 in Oswestry to Warrant Officer Class 1, Regimental Sergeant Major. Dek served in the Mortar Platoon and was a frequent member of the Rugby team, with his last post as RSM at the Support Weapons Wing at the School of Infantry.

Dek's funeral will be held on the 9th of September 2026 at 1300hrs at the Chanterlands Crematorium post code HU5 4EF.

Jean and family will welcome all Dukes who would like to attend the funeral and drinks later at The Cross Keys Pub post code HU6 7UP.

12/07/2026

John Hedley Rutherford - Deceased

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the death 22264456 John Hedley Rutherford at the age of 95.

We believe that he enlisted in 1947/48 probably at Strensall.

We have photos of him as a Lance Corporal detached to 3rd Coldstreams at Aldershot in March 1949, at The School of Infantry in Hythe autumn 1949, and as a Corporal at The School of Infantry in Warminster in spring 1951.

By October 1951, he was a Sergeant and back with the 1st Battalion at Minden.

He went with the advance party to Korea in August/September 1952, and I attach a photo of him on the 38th Parallel.

He was in 9 Platoon, C Company under Major Kavanagh, on ‘Sausage’ during the Hook battle.

We think he left the Army in 1954 on return to the UK, but, as you will know, once a ‘Duke’, always a ‘Duke’, and he remained very proud of that all his life.

He was involved with the British Korean Veterans Association, both at local level in Scarborough, and nationally.

He died on Tuesday 7 July in Scarborough.

His funeral will be at Scarborough Crematorium on Wednesday 22 July at 2pm.
Afterwards at Scarborough Rugby Club, Scalby Road, Scarborough.

It is hoped that Standard bearers and buglers will be available to attend.

Friends and Veterans are most welcome to attend the funeral and the wake afterwards.

30/06/2026

Funeral Details – Geoffery (Doc) Holliday – Halifax Minster 7th July 2026

It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the death of one of our Korean Vets – Doc Holliday – I must admit that I remember Doc but did not realise that he was a Korean Vet.

Apart from Korea, Doc Served in, Cyprus (UN), Osnabruk, Gillingham, Hong Kong and other locations including Japan, Kenya and Northern Ireland. Doc served a full 22 years and was more recently the Caretaker at the Halifax Drill Hall under 3 Yorks Volunteers. As a 'Bisley Bullet', he won a number of trophies for the Regiment.

Doc's funeral will be held at 1400hrs at Halifax Minster. We intend to gather as many Standard Bearers as possible. Hopefully there will be enough veterans, fit enough, to provide a Bearer Party to carry the coffin and an Honour Guard. All suitably dressed in Blazer, tie and medals where-ever possible. Standard Bearers should advise RHQ by email or phone as soon possible of availability and attendance.

There will be a committal at Park Wood Crematorium for the family only following the service at the Minster.

A wake will be held at The Three Pigeons, 1 Sun Fold, Halifax, HX1 2LX from 1445hrs.

16/06/2026

William 'Billy' Chalmers -- Contact – Wait Out!!!!

Can anyone who remembers Billy Chambers or even better are old friends of Billy please contact John Hogg at RHQ as we would like to get a group together. His service details - Mar 1988 - Feb 1999 Duke of Wellington's Regiment.

Discharged from Weaton Camp - His email address is: [email protected]

Thanks for your help.

21/05/2026

Freedom Parades - Royal Yorkshire Regiment – Keighley, Halifax and York

The Royal Yorkshire Regiment are to conduct a number of Freedom Parades within the Regimental Area. Owing to security restrictions only minimal detail will be shared on these platforms. Further detail can be sourced from RHQ directly by emailing [email protected] or texting to 07950233130.

3 parades are to be carried out in our area – Keighley - 5th June (1200hrs – 1500hrs) – Halifax - 6th June (1015hrs - 1400hrs) and York – 8th June (1000hrs - 1300hrs).

Standard Bearers and Veterans will be required to take part in the parades where able. Arrangements can be made for those who are un-fit to march but would still like to take part.

RHQ will contact Standard Bearers directly to arrange details for each parade. If anyone would like to act as Standard Bearer – perhaps RBL Standard Bearers – or would like to be considered for becoming a DWR Association Standard Bearer, please contact John Hogg directly on 07950233130 or by emailing RHQ at the email address shown above.

Veterans are welcome to attend. The dress for all attending the parades will be Regimental Blazer, Regimental Tie, Headdress and Medals as appropriate.

Detailed locations, routes and Forming-up-Points (FUPs) can be obtained from RHQ directly as listed elsewhere in this notice.

It is hoped that the Regiment Association will be fully represented by Veterans, friends and families on each occasion. As many Standard Bearers and marching Veterans as possible will be required and much appreciated.

26/03/2026

TIME TO REFLECT - AT THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM

Attached is the invitation to this year’s Time to Reflect event, taking place on 16th May 2026 at the National Memorial Arboretum. This event is intended to provide an opportunity for remembrance and reflection and is open to Armed Forces families who have experienced bereavement either during service or as a result of service, for any reason.

Full details are included in the attachments below, including a link to register. All attendees need to complete the registration form to ensure an accurate record of numbers and any dietary requirements, and to arrange parking passes.

The invitation includes lunch, and attendees are free to spend the rest of the day exploring the Arboretum once the event concludes should they wish to. The Royal British Legion are kindly able to subsidise accommodation; this subsidy should be claimed directly from the RBL. Full details and the claim form are attached here too.

Regards,
Mick

Maj MP Lynch | Chair | The Royal Yorkshire Regiment Association | Trinity Church Square, Richmond, DL10 4QN

Mobile: +44 7943 612521

Those who are interested can obtain the 3 x attachments to this letter by emailing FAO: John Hogg at [email protected]

Address

Website

http://memorial.dwr.org.uk/

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