Dear all,

As we near Christmas and the start of a new year I would like to pass on the best wishes from all ranks of the 1st Battalion, wherever they may be serving.

As many of you will know, D Company has been in Afghanistan for about a month and is not due to return to Cyprus until mid-January. Their winter tour of Helmand Province is in contrast to the 4 months that they spent in Basra over the summer in terms of their role and the temperatures encountered.

A Company Group has only recently returned from a spell in Afghanistan and although they weren't able to take leave immediately afterwards, they will be able to return to the UK for 3 weeks leave over Christmas and the New Year.

B Company and half of FSp Company will continue to conduct on-island Cyprus Security duties over the Christmas period and also remain at high-readiness should we be required to deploy to either Afghanistan or Iraq at short notice.

Large elements of Headquarter Company will also remain on readiness during the Festive Season, not only in order to deploy, but also to arrange and facilitate a deployment, should it occur. Whilst there are no further deployments on the cards, we are prepared, just in case.

This has been a busy year in which we have suffered 11 casualties who were wounded in action. All are making a good recovery and most have returned to duty. Of those still undergoing treatment, CSgt Richie Jones has had a prosthesis fitted, although there is still some work to be done before he is fully mobile. Maj Jeff Cleverly has had his final false eye fitted and is getting used to having it in place. He may also need some further plastic surgery to rebuild and shape the damage to his nose and eye lid. LCpl Michael Greggan remains in the UK as he is regularly in and out of Headley Court for treatment to his knee. Unfortunately his treatment is only resulting in very slow improvements and there is a long way to go. Capt Matt Hughes has recently had an operation to repair his ear drum which was perforated by an explosion during the ambush on 7 May in Kandahar City. He is well but the ear will take time to heal. I am sure that you will join me in wishing all of them a speedy recovery from their injuries.

From a personal perspective, I would like to thank everybody in the wider Regimental family and community, whether they are in Wales or elsewhere, who have provided immeasurable support to the Battalion over the past year, especially when we sustained casualties. There was never any doubt that help would be forthcoming if we asked, but we actually had to 'turn-off' some of the help and assistance as the casualties would have been overwhelmed! Thank you for all who were involved and also for the messages of support. We remain on high-readiness for further operational deployments until 1 June 2008. It is a marathon rather than a sprint and we are pacing ourselves accordingly, however, we are also ready to meet the demands of the future, knowing that we are well trained, well equipped and highly motivated.

Finally, I would just like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Regards,

Huw James
CO 1 R WELSH (RWF)