Benefits since amalgamation?

[bennyball2]

Not wanting to open the argument about the amalgamation of the regiments? but could any one inform as to if the benifits have been acheived since the amalgamation, also what were the benifits they were trying to acheive????

[Bob Lake]

Benny,

Perhaps this is best left to those serving in 1st and 2nd Battalions Royal Welch. As regards perceived benefits I know part of the packet of benefits hoped for was that by reducing the roulement of units a reduction in the number of infantry battalions could be achieved (savings) without a loss of military capacity. This was on the basis that under the old system a number of units were in 'baulk' out of action whilst they were retrained for their new roles.

Another benefit was less upheaval of families as Battalions would remain relatively static ( again best ask the wives at Chester if this has been a benefit) - cost were a factor here as less disturbance allowance and removal expenses as well as other beenfits would not be claimed if familes spent less time moving around.

My view is that all this could have been achieved without meddling with the Regimental System. In the Prince of Wales's Division, for example, we had a history of inter Battalion postings, why then did we need the trauma of forming large regiments. I think General Jackson (CGS at the time) sold the Regimental System short for political credibility. More saving and better moral could have easily been achieved without the unnecessary pain of mergers. I could never understand why merging two regiments to form one large regiment of two battalions amounted to any advantage, just unnecessary pain

I think history will write it down as a mistake - thanks a bunch General Mike Jackson.

RL

[bennyball2]

Thanks for this Sir, with the exception of your eplanation above, I still feel there must have been more spent on adminstering the amalgamation. What got me thinking was that maybe it would have made it easier for cross postings for deployment to active service, but then I thought that happend during the first Iraq war when members of our regiment were posted to the RRF to build their numbers. But like you said sir history will tell us eventually.

Thanks

[keithwill38]

But will the merged Regiments see the benefits as once again the Minister for Defence is lining up regiments for the chop,in his latest round of cuts

[Bob Lake]

Keith you make a good point. I hear that the next round of cuts will be scathing, if we lose a battalion from the Royal Welsh to what large regiment will the remaining battalion belong?
My guess is that its a Corps of Infantry next.

RL

[Bob Lake]

Gwyn, The reporting problem you highlight is an interesting one given the process is subjective. If as CO of an Infantry Unit you have high quality guys you still have to grade them so that your top guy pops out on top to be your next RSM. Given that you have no idea of the talent in other regiments your perception of what constitutes a top quality guy, in a Battalion of many top quality guys, will raise the bar too high for those behind in the batting order. What I think I'm trying to say is that RWF promotion to WO1 suffered from having to many top quality guys, hence the problem you mention. In truth it was the job of the grading boards at PoW Division to get the balance right. What's this got to do with Benefits anyway?