Threat to the Redoubt
By
Janet Holben
Recent
developments have meant that the Shorncliffe Redoubt is under threat as the
MOD have been approached to sell part of the area known as 'The
Redoubt' by a Property Developer. The following emotional message has been sent out by
Chris Shaw to all members of the 95th Rifles and re-enactors as a call to
action.
Since I sent out my last
email, I have received more information that does not bode well for the
site. It seems that a property developer has already been using a front to
gain a foothold on the site. Now is the time to start the fight, rattle some
cages and stir up support.
The deadline for a
decision on the site is 5th December, if we do not act now, we
will lose our birth place forever. I as a rifleman will not allow this to
happen. It is our destiny to fight for this site, this is our Corunna and
Waterloo
rolled into one.
Pass this on to other
Riflemen and other re-enactors. Tell them from me, if they want to feel like
they have earned the honour to wear the Green Jacket or the jacket of their
own illustrious Regiment, this is their chance; it is our Regiments hour of
need. Remember Plunket, Kincaid, Coote-Manningham, Black Bob and Sir John
are looking on, we can not let them down. I for one could not take the field
again out of shame if I felt I did not do enough to save this broken down
fort, where our fore-bearers learnt the skills we purport to demonstrate to
the public today.
We need to spread the
word and get support from wherever and whoever we can to save the Redoubt.
If you feel my sentiments are too strong, you do not know the passion I have
for my beloved Regiment and my fellow Green Jackets. If you think I am
exaggerating the importance of this site, re-read the books you all
fastidiously collect and deny it to your head this is not a worthy cause to
undertake.
If after contemplation,
you still don’t believe our Redoubt is not worth saving. You should
consider a simpler and quieter pastime.
I have yet to hear from
many of my brother Riflemen for one reason or another; I hope my humble and
heartfelt words stir you into action.
By
the time you read this article decisions will have been made - I will keep
you updated on events as they unfold.
| Produced for the Sandgate News - December 2005 |