Friends Achievements

For an organisation, just over fifteen-years-old, we are incredibly proud of what our members have achieved in such a short space of time. Through their tireless efforts, many Suffolk soldiers have now been remembered, and they have been instrumental in the erection of new memorials to them and the publication of numerous books on campaigns long overlooked in military history.

There is too much to write about here, but we have selected just a few highlights of our members achievements since our creation including some which may be familiar to you from TV and the internet.

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Service Battalion Colour saved from destruction

In 2018 the Friends raised the funds through its membership to have the Colour of the 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Battalion professionally conserved and restored to hang in the Regimental Chapel.
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Arakan recreated for a National Lottery advert

In 2012 as part of the 'Heroes Return' scheme, the Friends assisted in the recreation of a 2nd Suffolk jungle camp for a TV advert. We provided historical advice, props and uniforms to make it as realistic as possible.
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Bill Price DCM - Medals procured for the Museum

Back in 2010, L/Cpl. Bill Price's Distinguished Conduct Medal came up for sale and the Friends acted as intermediaries for the museum to procure the medal at auction and save it from being lost to a buyer overseas.
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Restoration and repair of OCA Branch  Standards

The Friends have personally restored and repaired the Standards of the Leiston and the Bury St. Edmunds branches to allow them to continue to be carried on parade for many more years to come.
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'Roubaix' Drum acquired for the Museum

In 2004, the Friends transacted to buy a 1st Battalion Drum for the Regimental Museum. The Drum it was believed, could have been one of three that was hidden in France in 1940, and recovered again in 1944. 
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'Daffodil Sunday' held again at the Depot

In 2009 the Friends helped to reintroduce 'Daffodil Sunday' at the Regimental Museum, providing guided tours around the former Depot site. Sadly the museum have not held it for some years, but it was great fun.

Centenary Displays at the Regimental Museum

Between 2014 and 2018 the Friends provided different sets of display boards and figures in the museum telling of the key actions of the Great War and explaining how the soldier's kit developed during the conflict.

Officially representing the Suffolk Regiment 

It seems a trivial thing to mention, but many Friends members have represented the Regiment at ceremonies at home and abroad. It is an honour to be thought of as being the successors of such a great Regiment.

Friends members writing regimental books

Many Friends members have authored books on their 'pet' regimental subjects, and we have supported many of our members financially to help get their efforts into print. To date, seven Friends have been 'published.'
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New CWGC headstones and memorials

At least three of our members have succeeded in getting new headstones for Suffolk Regiment soldiers who for whatever reason, did not originally receive them, helping to bring several Suffolks 'in from the cold.'

Suffolk Cyprus Landrover back into production

In 2013, the Friends persuaded Corgi to commission one last model of a Suffolk Regiment Landrover in Cyprus (1956-59) before they scrapped their dies. It is the only official model of a Regimental vehicle.
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A survey of all Regimental Colours

Threatened with destruction, in 2014 we conducted a survey of all known colours of the Regiment. We have also campaigned that they should all be preserved and not be allowed to rot. The fight is not yet over!
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Malaya MC immortalised for the Museum

Back in 2009 the Friends assisted the Museum to supply the uniforms and equipment for a display recreating the moment in 1952 when a young National Serviceman, 2/Lt. Ray Hands won his Military Cross. 
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Stars of Suffolk' award winners

In 2014 the Friends were asked to accept the 'Star of Suffolk' award on behalf of the Regimental Museum. a great honour, but not as great as meeting a Suffolk Palestine veteran at the award ceremony!
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Rare Regimental books back into print

The museum approached the Friends in 2014 to assist in getting Eric Lummis' seminal work '1 Suffolk nd D-Day' back into print. The Friends redesign and reprinted his work together with a special epilogue.
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Keeping the Regiment on your screens

The Suffolk Regiment had been put back onto your screens and internet of late by the efforts of our members. From YouTube (Great War Huts and WW2TV), to the big screen (Stanley's War), the Regiment is not forgotten.

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