Co 1rwelsh letter on merger
Lt Col Hackney wrote today:
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Members of RWF Officers Association September 2013
Gentlemen,
Having recently taken over command of the 'l"' Battalion I am writing to you to give you an update of what is happening in the Battalion, the merger and the move to Tidworth. I know most of you will have read or heard of the plan in outline, but I thought it worthwhile to put some flesh on the bones and to highlight the key events.
Firstly, it is a great privilege for me to take command of the 1" Battalion and, in turn, command the 'new' Battalion in Tidworth next year. My aim is quite simple, that we will be the very best Armoured Infantry battalion in the Army. a strong, happy battalion at the very top of its game. Given our record and the quality of our people, I have no doubt that we will achieve this.
The Battalion, under Lt Col Steve Webb's excellent leadership, has had a very busy year having returned from operations 12 months ago. Elements have deployed on exercise to Latvia, Canada, India and Cyprus and we currently have a company in Kenya. Our sports teams have excelled, we were the best placed Infantry ski team in the Army championships' we reached the semi-finals of the Army Rugby cup, the final of the Infantry football cup, as well as having thriving basketball, cycling and triathlon teams. We have run numerous AT expeditions, a Staff Ride to the Alma, a football tour to Barcelona, cycling in France and a rugby tour to Cyprus. A successful year during which the boys, as ever. have done exceptionally well.
What of the merger? You will receive a more detailed merger update in due course. However, to give you a flavour, the merger has begun and the first tranche of l15 have already moved to Tidworth and are currently deployed on exercise in BATUS. The next tranche of 137 will go in January and the new Battalion will stand up at the end of March 2014. A rear party of 38 will remain in Chester before joining us in Tidworth having handed over The Dale to 2 MERCIAN next summer. The remainder will either move to Tidworth individually, be posted, be leaving the Army, or transferring to another regiment. When we form we will, as near as damn it, be 50 / 50 split 1st and 2nd Battalion, and a Battalion of 729 men and women. Please note that despite reducing from two to one we are still actively recruiting. We need to fill the places at the lnfantry Training Centre and anything you can do to help and get the message out there would be welcomed.
In terms of property, all Regimental property from the Messes to the Red Dragon will be moved to Tidworth. We have plenty of real estate and all 3 Messes will be 'decorated' with antecedent 1st and 2nd Battalion property. Similarly the Battalion sports club, to be know-as The Red Dragon Club, will home both the current Dragon memorabilia and that of the 2nd Battalion's Piince of Wales Club. What is absolutely clear to me is that all antecedent Regimental property, which charts our rich history, will be brought together to provide a foundation for the new battalion.
In terms of heritage, a Regimental Heritage Committee has sat and you will no doubt have heard that we are taking forward the best from both antecedent battalions. To give you a flavour, Private soldiers will be known as Fusiliers, we will wear the Flash and Hackle and we will wear the 38th Division TRF (a Dragon Passant on a green background). The Goat will be known as Llewellyn, will be castrated and will wear the Lichfield Plate. B Company will be known as B (Rorke's Drift) Company, the third rifle company will become C Company and Fire Support Company will be known as D Company. The blend of heritage is balanced and will allow us to retain many of our unique 'golden threads'.
It is my intent, and the Colonel of the Regiment has agreed, that on merging we will hold a Regimental day in Tidworth to mark the event. I would like to see all the Regimental family there. From Cadet to Comrade, to be with us as we start this latest chapter in our history. More details will follow in due course.
ln terms of future commitments, following the formation of the 'new'1st Battalion we will assume responsibility for the Interim Lead Armoured Battle group (iLABG) contingency role. This provides us with a clear point of aim and something tangible to prepare for. It also means that we attract training resources. The 2nd Battalion are currently on exercise in BATUS preparing for this role. In May 2014 the Battalion(-) will again deploy to BATUS, with the remaining elements deploying through June and July to support the KRH BATUS as they prepare to assume the iLABG role from us. We are also planning a major regimental expedition to the Himalayas next autumn. Looking further ahead you will know that the presentation of Colours parade is scheduled for summer 2015 in the Millennium Stadium.
So, the future is bright, the Battalion has a great role and is well placed for success. We have a clear direction of travel and we will take change in our stride and rise to the next challenge.
