Dame Judi Dench Accepts Honorary Patronage Of The Leinster Regiment Association

Dame Judi Dench

The role recognises and pays tribute to her father’s distinguished service during the First World War.

World-renowned actress Dame Judi Dench CH, DBE, FRSA is accepting the role of Honorary Patron of The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) Association.

The role is in in recognition of and tribute to her father’s distinguished service during the First World War.

Her father, Captain Reginald Arthur Dench MC and Bar, was commissioned into the Leinster Regiment in January 1916, a man for whom she had deep devotion and pride.

When accepting, she replied “I don’t know how to put into words my feelings on being asked to be Honorary Patron of the Leinsters. To have a link in this way is better than anything I could ever imagine. I would be so honoured and so delighted.“

Chairman of the Irish Committee of the Leinster Regiment Association, Paddy Kelly says: “We are thrilled as this is a great honour for us. It shows that the Leinsters are still a very strong family even though the regiment ceased to exist as a military unit in 1922.”

The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians), whose depot was located at Crinkill Barracks outside Birr, County Offaly, was disbanded in 1922 alongside the other Southern Irish infantry regiments.

The Leinster Regiment Association is dedicated to preserving the memory of those who served by bringing together their descendants.

The announcement of Dame Judi’s appointment as Honorary Patron was made to members at the Association’s Commemorative Lunch this month, where it was received with spontaneous and enthusiastic applause, followed by a standing toast in her honour.

 

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