2 royal welsh update

A COMPANY <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">AFGHANISTAN</st1:place></st1:country-region> UPDATE <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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Sirs, fellow Comrades<o:p></o:p>

I have just returned from my third visit to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Afghanistan</st1:country-region></st1:place> but my first to A Company along with the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Didi Wheeler. A Company took over from C Company earlier this year and have been deployed for over 3 months. You will all be aware that the Company have suffered the loss of two fine soldiers: Ptes Richard Hunt and James Prosser who paid the ultimate sacrifice in a far away land. I would like to thank all those who where able to attend the funerals, both the Family and the Regiment gather great strength in knowing the Regimental Association members are their in our hour of need to salute a fallen comrade.<o:p></o:p>
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The Company have also had a number of casualties. I can reassure you that the treatment these soldiers receive from the point of wounding, through the medical chain and back to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place> is second to none. What the medical staff does for our soldiers on a daily basis is outstanding.<o:p></o:p>
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A Company recently conducted a Battle Group sized operation which saw them move south into insurgent held territory and they have subsequently established themselves in a new platoon Patrol Base currently called Chekaw. The location consists off an Observation Post (OP) location on top of the typically named OP Hill and a nearby platoon size compound dominating the area to the south. The operation was a significant success and as ever A Company was in the vanguard of the operation.<o:p></o:p>
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The morale within the Company remains extremely high and they can see real improvement in the local area. They have provided a security environment which has given the local population the confidence to move back into their compounds and farm the land. Although A Company have moved to new locations the Company still remain on the front line and remains vigilant at all times.

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The attitude, professionalism and dedication shown by our soldiers is second to none. When I departed the Company after my short stay, I was, once again, filled with confidence and a tremendous sense of pride. I can assure you all that every one of our soldiers in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Afghanistan</st1:country-region></st1:place> is doing a tremendous job: professional, courageous and determined to succeed in this difficult fight. They are all true WELSH WARRIORS.<o:p></o:p>
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The living conditions remain basic but effective and the feeding is a mixture of 10 man ration packs and the new 24hr ration packs which are outstanding. They all get a small amount of fresh rations which brings a welcome treat along with the tremendous amount of welfare parcels the soldiers receive on very regular basis and for which they are extremely grateful. Initially the Fijian soldiers were the first to come to the fore as chefs, but many of the boys now take turns whenever possible to make bread and also butcher, prepare and cook local livestock.<o:p></o:p>
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At this point I would also like to give you an update on what the rest of the Battalion has been doing. The Battalion less A and C Coy have recently returned from BATUS in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The aim of the exercise was two fold: first, to practice and test the Battle Group in our ability to conduct conventional war fighting in an armoured environment; and second, to practice and test us in an environment which was similar to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Afghanistan</st1:country-region></st1:place>. The exercises were conducted using both live ammunition and TES equipment which allowed us fire upon and kill the enemy using lasers and sensor vests.<o:p></o:p>
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Shortly after returning from BATUS C Company, accompanied by the Commanding Officer and the Regimental Colours, deployed to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Holland</st1:City></st1:place>. A Guard of Honour and the Colour Parties from two of the Royal Welsh Battalions attended a number of formal parades and services to commemorate the 65<SUP>th</SUP> anniversary of the liberation of S-Hertogenbosch. In 1944 members of the 53<SUP>rd</SUP> Welsh Division liberated S-Hertogenbosch in a battle that lasted 6 days in which 146 soldiers lost their lives. We all had the privilege to attend a battle field tour from Mr Luke-Vangecht MBE who was a young man during the liberation and provided information on German positions faced by the Allied Forces. To stand and watch soldiers from C Company, who have recently returned from a very demanding tour in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Afghanistan</st1:country-region></st1:place>, share stories with the liberators was something special. They all shared one thing in common; that a friendship forged under fire is a friendship forever. We all left with our hearts filled with pride for all the members of the 53<SUP>rd</SUP> Welsh Division.<o:p></o:p>
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What does the future hold for the Battalion? As I write this letter the Battalion have just completed the Prince of Wales Platoon Competition. The competition was run over 3 days: day 1 and 2 saw the platoons cover a total of 55 Kilometres with a number of stands along the way, whilst day 3 consists of an 8 mile march and falling plate shoot. We ended the Competition with a prize giving and a Battalion curry supper and a couple of pints in the Prince of Wales club allowing the lads to tell their war stories and pop their blisters. The winners this year were HQ Company which made Major Dixie Dixon a very happy Officer Commanding.<o:p></o:p>
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As you know Christmas will soon be upon us and with that brings the festive spirit to the Battalion with Company Parties and the Battalion Christmas Day which is being held on the 9<SUP>th</SUP> December this year. The day will run in true Regimental fashion ending in a inter company choir competition – may the best singers win!<o:p></o:p>
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I will finish now by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and once again thank you all for the continued support you have shown our soldiers and fallen comrades who are currently serving on Operations in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Afghanistan</st1:place></st1:country-region> over the past 12 months.<o:p></o:p>

Remember, make new friends, but never forget the old.<o:p></o:p>
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Best wishes.<o:p></o:p>
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DE DAVIES<o:p></o:p>
WO1<o:p></o:p>
RSM 2 R WELSH<o:p></o:p>

We wish you all a fantastic xmas & a happy New Year.
Tom & Sheila.

Dai,
A lovely update on the battalion,our thoughts are with them all the time so it is always nice to have an update on there progress,best wishes to A company for the rest of there tour,and wish the Battalion a very merry xmas and great new year.

Dai Fives

Dai
Thanks for the update. Can I wish on behalf of the Aberystwyth Branch RWFCA seasons grettings to all at 2RW both home and abroad?

Nadolig Llawen a Blewddyn Newydd Dda

Hingey

p.s.

Also, wearing my other hat, I have today asked Ceredigion County Council Chairman Cllr Ivor Williams to write to all 3 battalions wishing them a Happy Christmas and safe and prosperous New Year a duty he was delighted to carry out.

Hello,
On behalf of the Bridgend branch, I would like to wish both battalions a Merry Xmas and a Happy new year, and a safe return from their tour of duty to the U.K.
Regards RBD aka jungle1810

GOOD LUCK TO BOTH Bn's ALL RANKS AND A SAFE RETURN HOME. WALLY JONES 15