The Fusiliers Newsletter

Transcription

1 The Fusiliers Newsletter Catch up with the Regiment at work, rest and play Contents 1 August 2018 v Fusilier 50 City of London Privilege Parade Wed 5 Sep 18 v Regimental Strategy 2018 Update v Promotion to Brigadier v The Colonel of the Regiment s new Quarterly Award v Three new Regimental Days v Reservists alongside 1st Fusiliers in Canada v Bury Army Cadets to set sail with Lord Dannatt's Round Britain Challenge v Remember 18 for 18 at the Fusilier Museum (Bury) v 103 RRF ACF cares for War Graves v England s Fusiliers win once again v People and Places v The Fusilier Museum embarks to find missing VC v The Blyth War Memorials Project progress v Notices v How to contribute RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 1

2 Fusilier 50 City of London Privilege Parade Wed 5 Sep 18 The City of London have very kindly granted Freedom Privileges to the Regiment to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the formation of the Regiment. The Freedom Parade will take place on Wednesday 5 th September. The parade will be up to 500 strong and include guards from the 1 st and 5 th Battalions, Cadets, Affiliated and Allied Regiments and the Association. Outline Programme. Fusilier Association Members and Fusilier veterans are encouraged to march on this parade and support the Regiment in its 50 th year. Assemble at HM Tower of London (Wharf) March from HM Tower of London to Guildhall in the City of London Parade Review by the Colonel in Chief and the Lord Mayor, City of London on the Guildhall Square Luncheon in Guildhall hosted by the City of London. Timings. The Parade will depart from HM Tower of London at 1120hrs and the event will be complete by approximately 1430hrs. Assembly at the Wharf, HM Tower of London by 1000hrs. Dress. Suit or jacket worn with Regimental/Association tie, beret and RRF hackle (please: no antecedent hackles to be worn), medals. Association. The Association Guard will be led by Brig (Retd) Peter Sincock OBE, a former Chairman of the Regimental Association. Members of the Lorne Scots Association (affiliated Canadian Regiment) will also be joining us in the parade. The parade co-ordinator, Maj (Retd) Mick McCarthy has allocated up to 80 places to the Regimental Association. If you would like to RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 2

3 march on the 5 th September then please contact Maj McCarthy at the following address lonsec@thefusiliers.org. Please do this as soon as possible because places will be allocated on a first come - first served basis. A more detailed administrative instruction will be forwarded to those selected to march in late August. Security. For security reasons we have been advised by the City of London Police that this note should not be cut and paste into Social Media Regimental Strategy 2018 Update Under the direction of the Colonel of the Regiment, the Regiment published the Regimental Strategy in The Strategy looked out for five years. However, following the Army 2020 Refine work and other recent changes, it was decided to review and update the Strategy at the mid-way point. The updated Strategy reflects the new environment which we as a Regiment face and the Regimental Council has agreed the update. The 2018 Regimental Strategy Update is published on the Regimental website here: and you are all encouraged to download and read it RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 3

4 Promotion to Brigadier The Colonel of the Regiment and all Fusiliers congratulate Colonel J Butterfill MC, currently Chief of Staff 3 (UK) Armoured Division, on his promotion to Brigadier from August 2019 and his selection to command 12 th Armoured Infantry Brigade, based in Bulford. The Colonel of the Regiment s new Quarterly Award The Col of the Regt has introduced a personal award of excellence from him to the Fusilier or LCpl in each of our two Battalions who has given service above or beyond the call of duty. This will be a quarterly award with a cash prize equivalent of 150. The first award will be in September and the COs are currently identifying who will be the first recipient. Gen Paul would like to issue the first award in Sep. Each award will be accompanied with a signed and framed letter from the Colonel. Good luck to our 1 st and 5 th Fusiliers and LCpls. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 4

5 Three new Regimental Days At the Fusilier 50 Gala Dinner on Saturday 7th July, The Colonel of the Regiment announced that the Regiment would be creating three new Regimental and Traditional days to celebrate and commemorate the operational service and sacrifice of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers over the last 50 years. The Regimental Council have agreed that the three days will be Northern Ireland, the Middle East and Afghanistan and agreed the dates on which they will be celebrated. NORTHERN IRELAND (OP BANNER) DAY - 15 JUNE Operation BANNER was the operational name for the British Armed Forces operation in Northern Ireland from August 1969 to July Whilst a tri-service operation, the Army was the face of the support to the civil power throughout the Troubles, primarily consisting of support to the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and from November 2001 the Police Service of Northern Ireland. At the height of operations in the 1970s, there were about 28,000 British troops deployed. It was the longest continuous operation in the history of the British Army. The Fusiliers first tour in Northern Ireland began on the 16th June 1970, and the Regiment s last tour was a twoyear residential tour of Belfast between 2003 and In all, the Regiment deployed 35 times on Operation BANNER. This equates to 21 years of Regimental service in support of the people of Northern Ireland and it is estimated that over 16,000 Fusiliers served during the period. During Operation BANNER twenty-seven Fusiliers were killed and many injured whilst in Northern Ireland or by terrorist action in Great Britain. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 5

6 MIDDLE EAST THEATRE (GULF AND IRAQ) DAY - 28 FEBRUARY Since its formation in 1968 the Regiment has served in the Middle Eastern Theatre on two wars, Operation GRANBY, the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi forces and Operation TELIC, the invasion of Iraq and subsequent stabilisation operations. In the Regiment s 50 th year the Regimental Council have decided to mark the operational service and sacrifice of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in the Middle Eastern theatre with a new Regimental Day (28 th February) which will be known as the Middle East Theatre (Gulf and Iraq) Day. Operation GRANBY Operation GRANBY was the operational name given to the British military operations during the 1991 Gulf War whose aim was to liberate Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion in August In all 53,462 members of the British Armed Forces were deployed during the conflict. The Third Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers deployed on Operation GRANBY from its barracks in Deilinghofen, Germany in the autumn of 1990 and by New Year s Day were complete in Saudi Arabia. On the 17th January 1991, following the Iraqi refusal to comply to the United Nations deadline to withdraw its forces from Kuwait Operation DESERT STORM begun with the Air campaign. After intensive build up training, the Land Campaign began on the 24 th February and by 0800hrs 28 th February was complete with the Iraqi agreement to a ceasefire. During the 97 hours of the Land battle the Fusilier Battlegroup had advanced 350 kilometres from the Saudi border to the northern approaches to Kuwait City. During Operation GRANBY six Fusiliers were killed alongside three Privates from the Queen s Own Highlanders, who were attached to C Company in a friendly fire incident. A further Fusilier was killed whilst training immediately after the cessation of hostilities. Subsequently the Regiment was awarded the battle honour Gulf 1991 which appears on the Regimental Colour. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 6

7 Operation TELIC Operation TELIC was the operational name under which all of the United Kingdom's military operations in Iraq were conducted between the start of the Invasion of Iraq on 19 March 2003 and the withdrawal of the last remaining British forces on 22 May The bulk of the mission ended on 30 April The First Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers deployed on Operation TELIC in February 2003 as part of 1 (UK) Armoured Division which was involved in operations in southern Iraq around and in the city of Basra. They were instrumental in the capture of Basra and then the subsequent stabilisation operations. Following the defeat of Iraqi forces and the removal of Saddam Hussein, the Coalition Forces continued to mount stabilisation and support operations in Iraq until The First Battalion conducted a further two six-month deployments in 2005/6 and in The Second Battalion also deployed company sized reinforcement groups whilst based in Belfast and Cyprus between 2005/8. During Operation TELIC four Fusiliers were killed and there were numerous injured. It should not go unmentioned that many officers and soldiers from the Regiment, both Regular and Reserve, deployed as individual reinforcements to other units and HQs on many occasions throughout Operation TELIC. Subsequently the Regiment was awarded the battle honour Iraq 2003 which appears on the Regimental Colour. AFGHANISTAN (OPERATION HERRICK) DAY 4 OCTOBER Operation HERRICK was the operational name for all British military operations in Afghanistan from 2002 to the end of combat operations in It consisted primarily of the UK s contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), along with some support to the US-led Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). From 2006 the focus was on counter-insurgency operations against the Taliban, in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. At the height of the campaign in Helmand Province, there were 137 UK bases and approximately 9,500 UK troops stationed there. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 7

8 Increasingly, they fought alongside the fledgling Afghan forces, engaging the full spectrum from high-intensity combat to stabilisation operations, in order to help give the Afghan people a safe environment to rebuild their country. The Fusiliers first tour in Afghanistan was in , when members of the 2nd Battalion deployed on several occasions to Helmand Province, as part of the Theatre Reserve Battalion (TRB). This included A Company s defence of the Northern Helmand town of Nowzad in the summer of 2006, and C Company s deployment to Sangin the following year. Fusiliers were also deployed to Kajaki and Musa Qala during this period. From March to October 2009 the 2nd Battalion deployed as a Battalion on Op HERRICK 10. The Battalion was split over several locations. A Company was attached to 2RIFLES Battlegroup (BG) in Sangin, with troops in Forward Operating Base (FOB) NOLAY and FOB JACKSON. The 2nd Battalion BG was deployed to Musa Qala, with BG HQ in the District Centre and B Company deployed to the North in Patrol Base (PB) WOQAB, close to the enemy front-line. This deployment took place over the most dangerous period for British troops in Afghanistan. Sadly, seven members of the Battalion, all from A Company, were killed during the tour. From May to October 2013, the 1st Battalion deployed on Op HERRICK 18. The Battalion was based primarily in Main Operating Base (MOB) PRICE, alongside their Bosnian and Danish comrades, with elements deployed forward to PB LASHKAR GAR DURAI. The Battalion conducted stabilisation operations, as well as deliberate strike operations, as it sought to provide security and stability for the people and legitimate government of Helmand Province. It should not go unmentioned that many officers and soldiers from the Regiment deployed as individual attachments to other units and HQs on many occasions throughout the war in Afghanistan. During Operation HERRICK eight Fusiliers were killed and many injured whilst on operations in Afghanistan. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 8

9 Reservists alongside 1st Fusiliers in Canada 2Lts George and Osmond, Z & X Coy 5th Fusiliers, during a break on the prairie. Guess which one had his head out the turret the most... Over forty reservists from 5th Fusiliers have deployed to BATUS, Canada, to participate in Ex WARRIOR s CRAFT over the summer months. Ranging from Fusiliers to Captains, for many of the soldiers this was a first experience of armoured warfare training in the Warrior fighting vehicle. In temperatures of around 35 o C, Fusiliers conducted mounted and dismounted advances to contact, urban raids, recce patrols and obstacle crossings, amongst other tactical actions. As reservists, the 5th Fusiliers proved themselves to be more than capable of integrating with regular forces and performed to a high level in challenging conditions. This regular-reserve integration is likely to become a major part of 5th Fusiliers activities following their resubordination to 1 st Armoured Infantry Brigade, providing crucial support to their 1st Fusiliers sister battalion. Bury Army Cadets to set sail with Lord Dannatt's Round Britain Challenge Three Fusilier Cadets from No 1 (Minden) Company, Greater Manchester ACF, are to take part in a voyage of a lifetime in RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 9

10 Cadet LCpl Macy Booth and Cadet LCpl Maayan Rubb starting to plan their journies 48 injured soldiers and 96 cadets from all over the UK will be embarking on a voyage of remembrance, adventure and personal development as part of the Lord Dannatt's Round Britain Challenge. The voyage will mark the centenary of the end of the First World War and will be in four x 10-day legs, each one visiting the four national capitals. The cadets will take part in one leg each. The itinerary is as follows: Leg 1. London to Edinburgh - 25 Jul 3 Aug Leg 2. Edinburgh to Belfast Aug Leg 3. Belfast to Cardiff August Leg 4. Cardiff to London - 24 Aug 2 Sep Cadet LCpl Macy Booth (15) and Cadet LCpl Maayan Rubb (15) from Bury Detachment were selected from cadets from across the UK. To have two cadets from one detachment is a testament to their commitment and hard work, as well as the support from their Detachment Commander, Sergeant Major Mike Toner. Both cadets have pledged to raise at least 695, with special honours going to the cadets who raise the most money. Bury Detachment has already pledged 100 to both Lance Corporals Booth and Rubb. The challenge will test the crew's leadership, teamwork, courage, and resilience. Whilst on board the crew will also participate in their Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) Level 3 Award. This is a strong addition to any CV and a great way to stand out during interviews. The voyage also qualifies individuals for their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential. Over the next few months they will be undertaking many hours of extra activities to help raise funds from family and friends. The cadets and staff at Bury Detachment are also planning several fund- RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 10

11 raising events in order to boost the amount raised. These events will involve all members of the detachment who will give up their time to support their colleagues. Macy Booth, who is sailing from Belfast to Cardiff said "I am really looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends, I'm also really excited to be going on my first voyage on a sailing ship. I've never been to Cardiff before and I've never been involved in any form of crewing a ship." Macy has been fundraising by baking and selling cakes online, as well as sponsored runs and swimming. My Just Giving page is Maayan Rubb said "I am ready for the adventure, I'm sailing from Edinburgh to Belfast, and I'm looking forward to the scenery and the activities on board the ship. I'm hoping to gain new skills and meet lots of new friends." Maayan has been fundraising by dog walking and undertaking a sponsored bungee jump. My Just Giving page is Ethan Renshaw will be accompanying Maayan Rubb on her leg from Edinburgh to Belfast. He recently transferred to Bury Detachment from Crumpsall. Ethan said "I can't wait to be part of this - this is something I may never ever do again!" Sergeant Major Toner, the Detachment Commander of Bury Detachment said that he was "very proud of the three cadets and hoped that they would gain new skills on this once in a lifetime opportunity." If you would like to support Macy, Maayan and Ethan in their life changing voyage and to help wounded servicemen and their families please donate to Macy and Maayan's Just Giving pages. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 11

12 1 August 2018 Remember 18 for 18 at the Fusilier Museum (Bury) The Fusilier Museum (Bury) has been granted 39,900 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) North West towards their Remember 18 for 18 For Valour They Died Not in Vain exhibition. This exhibition will bring together, for the first time, all 18 VCs won by the Lancashire Fusiliers during the Great War. The exhibition dates are 5 October - 15 December The grant from HLF amounts to 93% of the total cost of the exhibition. And see below for the search for the 18th VC RRF ACF cares for War Graves T he Fusilier ACF detachment based in Orpington, Kent, 103 RRF, have received permission from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to look after the war graves in All Saints' Church, Orpington. As well as the British war graves, the Church has an annex, Canadian Corner, in which 88 Canadian, 23 British and 5 Australian soldiers are buried. On Sunday 1 July, a service of remembrance was held and members of the Cadet force supplied a Banner party of Lt Platt, 2Lt Hill, Sgt Maj Proto and CSjt Smith. As it was also the anniversary of The Battle of The Somme, the start of the minute's silence was marked by a blast on a WW1 whistle. Lt Platt then recited the 'The Ode Of Remembrance' and 2Lt Hill laid a wreath. The standard bearer was CSjt Smith. The service was led by Rev Fr Parker McGee, the Vicar of All Saints. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 12

13 England s Fusiliers win once again In May this year, Capt Mick Straker and his team England s Fusiliers from 5th Fusiliers entered the annual Walking With The Wounded Competition for the third time. They hoped to retain their 1 st place in the over 50s category in the Tough Route of over 24km. Not only did they retain 1 st place but: they were 54 mins ahead of the second placed team and with all the help from family and friends raised over 3,000 towards this fantastic charity. The team with a There but not There silhouette on one of the summits The team now have no option but to enter for a third time in Mick Capt Straker intends to form a new 5th Fusiliers team and to also enter a team from Skill Force and Military Preparation College for Training (MPCT), who both work out of St George s ARC. So hopefully a good Fusilier present will be on show in May RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 13

14 1 August 2018 People and Places This is not false news... The Col of the Regt alongside POTUS & PM at RMAS during POTUS visit to the UK. Had a great day at that RSMA place yesterday! I loved that Colonel General Fusilier - doesn t look 50 though. A great, great Regiment - Bigly!! A chance reunion Former 6 RRF (V) Mortar Officer Graeme Heron, Recce Pl Comd Chester Potts and Adjt James Sayer bumped into each other at the Lochnagar Crater on the Somme Battlefield tour of France in late June. Clearly the Dress section in Service Support had been left out of the Op Order... RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 14

15 Duty before pleasure Sheldon Branch of the Fusiliers Association (Warwickshire) attend a the 1 July Somme Memorial Service in at Aston Church, Birmingham. The group stand in front of the Memorial as they wait for the Aston Tavern to open. (We don t think they were after coffee). The NW RRMT in the Community The Fusiliers NW Regimental Recruiting and Mentoring team were recently out and about with the paint ball range at Party in The Park, Bury. Troops had a busy day engaging with the community. Cpl Wilde in particular took the Welly Throwing contest very seriously and then became extremely competitive in the Rounders. He might not be invited back... RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 15

16 1 August 2018 Cycling for the Fusilier Aid Society On Thu 12 - Fri 13 July, Andy Harris and Malcolm Johnston (both ex 3RRF and with a combined age of 121), were raising money for the Fusiliers Aid Society by cycling from the Fusilier Museum in Bury to the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) at Alrewas. It was over 95 miles, including ascents (and a few corresponding descents) of over 4,500 feet through the Peak District. They Before... arrived mid afternoon on Fri 13 Jul, in time to attend the Fusilier 50 Memorial Service at the RRF Memorial at And after...and still the NMA on the Saturday. able to sit at Andy and Malcolm raised 2,000 for the dinner... Fusilier Aid Society, so many thanks for all the generous support by the Fusilier Family. The Fusilier Museum embarks to find missing VC The Fusilier Museum, Bury has launched an international appeal to find a missing Victoria Cross which is to be included in a new exhibition to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War One. The exhibition titled 18 for 18 which is due to open in October 2018 is anticipated to include all eighteen Victoria Crosses won by the Lancashire Fusiliers during the Great War. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 16

17 The museum currently has 6 Victoria Crosses in its collection, 8 will be kindly loaned to the museum from Lord Ashcroft s private collection of VCs (the largest collection of its kind in the world). The remaining three VCs are still in private ownership and will be loaned to the Museum for the exhibition. If successful in their search, it will be the first time ever that all 18 VCs have been together and on display in one place. The missing medal belonged to Lieutenant Colonel Bertram Best- Dunkley (3 Aug Aug 1917). He was a temporary lieutenant colonel commanding the 2/5th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. On 31 Jul 1917 at Wieltje, Belgium, he was in command of his battalion when they came under attack with machine gun fire at close range. He dashed forward, rallied his troops, and personally led them to defeat the guns. He was awarded the VC for bravery but sadly later died from his wounds a few days later. His VC s last known whereabouts was in Canada in 1983 where it is still believed to be in private ownership. Sarah Stevenson, Collections Officer at the Fusilier Museum, said: The location of the missing Best Dunkley medal is a mystery. It seems to have vanished but someone must know of its whereabouts or still be in procession of it. This is an ambitious, global search to try and find the missing medal but we are determined to succeed so it can take its rightful place alongside the other 17 VCs in the exhibition. Anyone with any information about the missing VC should contact Sarah Stevenson, Collections Officer at the Fusilier Museum on or sarah.stevenson@fusiliermuseum.com RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 17

18 The Blyth War Memorials Project progress The ground works on the Ridley Park Cenotaph and War Memorials has now started, with the main contractor being Kevin Tilmouth of Blyth, a former 1st Fusilier. The first job was to erect the security fencing around the site, fixing the Fusilier 50 signs to the fencing with the work expected to take six weeks. Afterwards a rededication ceremony will take place. Kevin Tilmouth and his team of former 1st Fusiliers about to start work Representatives from the Town Council, Army Reserves, Veterans Associations, including Fusiliers, and members of the public who have subscribed towards the renovation will be invited. The names of several Royal Northumberland Fusiliers are engraved on the First and Second World War memorials. Other names to be added from conflicts post-1945 include Guardsman Michael Sweeney, Coldstream Guards, a former RRF Army Cadet (Blyth Detachment) who was killed in Afghanistan by an IED on 1 April Notices Job Vacancy at the Drapers Company The Drapers Company are co-sponsors of a five school Multi Academy Trust (MAT) at Harold Hill near Romford, NE London. The MAT s acting Chief Operation Officer, David Sumner, is keen to get a retiring officer to head up their estates and facilities department. The job description can be seen here Estates-and-Facilities-for-the-MAT-JD.pdf RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 18

19 and is advertised as 40K per annum. Applications will be considered up to Fri 17 Aug 18. If anyone is interested, please contact David Sumner direct at Saturday Fund-raising talks at the Fusilier Museum (Warwick) To be held at St John s House, Warwick, CV34 4NF at 1400 each Saturday listed. The entry charge will be 5 for the Talks and 1 per item to be valued on Valuation Day (except for Friends and Volunteers of the Museum) 29 September The Warwickshire Yeomanry in World War One by Philip Wilson (Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum) 27 October The Battle of the Somme by David Seeney 24 November The Warwicks and the Xmas Truce by Alan Reed (Military Guide and Author) How to contribute Contributions are welcome from anywhere in the Fusilier Family. Articles should be no more than 150 words, ideally with a good photo and caption. Get them to midsec@thefusiliers.org by the 25 th of each month. Archive copies are held in the Regiment s Dropbox account. Please note that the Editor and RHQ make every effort to ensure factual accuracy and whilst we might edit articles for reasons of space, we do not censor them. Any mistakes are purely accidental and no harm or slander is ever intended. Photos The Editor accepts photographs for publication on the understanding that those submitting them have, where required by data protection legislation, obtained consent to publication from RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 19

20 those depicted. Anyone who believes this is not the case or has a DPA related concern should contact the Editor. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 20