Regimental Dinner Orders Open

Chris Oliver
23 hours ago
2 min read

This year’s historic Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Regimental Dinner will take place on Friday 11th September at The Farmhouse Hotel, St Saviour. Once again, we will honour the men, families, and legacy of the Regiment in their traditional style. We are very pleased to enclose details here of this, our main fundraiser of the year.

Regimental Silver

This venue gives us, for the first time, the opportunity to display a much wider range of the traditional RGLI Regimental Silverware, not previously seen outside of secure storage, thanks to our ongoing collaboration with Guernsey’s Museum Service.

Guests of Honour

These include Sir Richard McMahon, Mr Gregory Boulanger (Mayor of Masnieres) and Chief Minister Mrs. Lindsay De Sausmarez. We do hope that you can join us for the opportunity to reflect on Sir Richard’s support and interest in our charity and many others at this moment of his retirement.

The Evening

A pre-event champagne reception is kindly hosted by Ravenscroft Capital, followed by an excellent choice of three-course dinner, with Port to follow for the loyal toast. The year’s raffle is headlined by several key prizes including access to

Guernsey’s Michelin Star restaurant, courtesy of Vraic. As normal, places are limited therefore, we are writing to you directly hoping you will join us and support the Regiment.

History and importance of the Regimental Dinner

Regimental Dinners trace back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when officers’ messes formalised communal dining as a way to build cohesion, discipline, and shared identity within a regiment. Traditionally held annually they were often on a battle honours anniversary or a founding date combining formal rituals (toasts to the Sovereign, regimental silver on display, mess kit, sometimes a piper or band) with camaraderie among serving and retired officers.

Their purpose is threefold: reinforcing esprit de corps, honouring fallen comrades and historic achievements, and maintaining continuity between generations of serving members, veterans, and affiliated associations.

Today they remain popular because they anchor a regiment’s living memory, especially important for amalgamated or historic regiments (and their affiliated charities) seeking to sustain identity, fundraise, and keep connected. They also offer rare occasions of pageantry, storytelling, and formal tradition in an increasingly informal world appealing to serving members, alumni, and heritage enthusiasts alike.