Saturday, January 14, 2023

Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Ivor Amphlett, MVO, MBE

 Lt Col (retired) Gordon Ivor Amphett, MVO, MBE, late the Royal Regiment of Wales, died at Brecon Hospital, 10 January, 2023.

Lt-Col Amphlett paid a vital role in shaping the future military career of the present King. 

The then Prince Charles was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the new regiment in early 1969, his first Army appointment. The amalgamation parade of the two regiments took place in Cardiff Castle in early 1969, in front of HRH. The point of formation of the new regiment - the Royal Regiment of Wales-  is taken as the point at which Prince Charles placed the new regimental green goat-coat upon Taffy the goat-mascot, replacing the Welch Regiment’s red one. The goat-coat had been worked by the Royal College of Needlework. Postcards of Prince Charles in the new regiment’s uniform taken at the occasion were still many years later. Amphlett, the then Regimental Sergeant Major, WO1 Gordon Amphlett - was awarded his subsequent MVO decoration - a royal honour in the personal gift of the monarch -for the effectiveness and good humour in teaching the young Prince of Wales (now HM The King) to salute and for his preparedness and poise for the parade.

On July 1, 1969, Prince Charles went to Carnarvon Castle, where his mother invested him as Prince of Wales. Charles wore the uniform of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Wales for the ceremony. The newly-formed regiment lined the route on the day at Carnarvon.

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