The 3rd Battalion
3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's)
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel TG Vallings
Tour
Based at Battlesbury Barracks, Warminster as part of 12 (Mechanised) Brigade. Deployed one Company to Baghdad on Operation TELIC (Iraq) for thee months of Protection and Security duties. Deployed on Company on Operation HERRICK (Afghanistan) as battle casualty replacements.
BATTALION UPDATE - JAN 2010
2009 had been a unique and demanding year for the Battalion. Alma Company deployed to Baghdad in May for 3 Months on Operation Telic 14. Burma Company deployed to Afghanistan as Battle Casualty Replacements. Corunna Company has also recently completed a demanding package of pre-deployment training for the same role. At the same time, the whole infrastructure of Battlesbury Barracks has undergone a complete re-vamp, and the Battalion has maintained its impressive record on the sports field.
AFGHANISTAN
November began with the emotional return of Burma Company from Afghanistan. Having deployed in July as Battle Casualty Replacements, they dealt with an extremely demanding tour over the summer months. Indeed, it was only in the last few days of the tour that the Company began to regroup, having been split to the four winds across Helmund Province. Many of the 135 members of the Company were involved in the high profile summer offensive against the Taliban known as Operation Panther's Claw. Their invaluable contribution in Afghanistan has been widely praised by the units to which they were attached and they can be justly proud of what they achieved in that country. We recognize the courageous sacrifice made by those killed and wounded during the tour. In particular, 18 year old Private Jonathon Young who was Killed in Action on the 20th August 2009 whilst out on patrol.
MASTIFF GROUP
The end of September saw 3 YORKS, along with the KRH, warned off to provide the "Mastiff Group" to deploy at the beginning of November. Hectic preparations and training were urgently required to form the unit into a cohesive group, and they first came together during a week in Stanford Training Area early October. From these early days a massive effort was made by the whole Battalion to ensure that they were ready to deploy. They took part in the Bde Exercise in Otterburn, before heading down to Lulworth for familiarization on the Mastiff itself, as well as for Heavy Machine Gun and Grenade Machine Gun ranges. Since their arrival in Afghanistan, they have continued to impress. Working with the Coldstream Guards, they provide a vital function and capability in theatre, and will be looking forward to beginning their R & R plot around Christmas time. They are due to return in early May following what is sure to be a demanding 6 month tour.
PRE-DEPLOYMENT TRAINING
Corunna Company have continued their pre-deployment training as Battle Casualty Replacements. The beginning of October saw them link up with 1 R ANGLIAN on exercise in Stanford. They were tested in rural and village patrols in both permissive and non-permissive environments, and memorably they practiced their river clearance drills in an environment that uncannily matched the green zone in Afghanistan! The following week saw them undertake the Brigade's training package in Otterburn. Here they had the chance to live fire all their weapon systems, building up from pairs and fire-teams through to Platoon and Company night attacks. The Company continues to remain on stand-by. IRAQ Alma Company Group took over operational taskings in Iraq from A Company 1 YORKS on 27 May 2009. The Battalion was tasked with providing a Force Protection (PROFOR) Company in Baghdad for one three-month period. Additionally, the Battalion also provided a platoon at the Iraqi Military Academy (IMA) on the outskirts of Baghdad until late July 2009. Alma Company is currently awaiting their deployment to the Falkland Islands in early January.
SPORTS
On the football field, the Battalion 1st XI were invited to play a team in Slovakia in the place of Manchester United B team, and came away with heads held high. They might have lost, but the experience was one that they are not likely to forget. They have also recorded impressive victories over 14 and 19 Reg RA, as well as 21 Sigs Reg. Post-Christmas, they look forward to the second rounds of both the Army and Infantry Cups.
The Rugby 1st XV have gone from strength with the return of players from operations. The Army Premiership Cup remains a real possibility, having recorded bonus point victories over ARRC Sp Bn and 1 PWRR, as well as drawing with The Welsh Guards. Their final fixture in the group stages is a top of the table crunch match against 12 Reg RA down in Thorney Island.
A highly successful War of the Roses boxing clash helped raise more than £140,000 for a selection of services charities. The bouts saw fighters from the Yorkshire Regiment trading blows with their counterparts from The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment in front of a 500 strong crowd at Saviles Hall in Leeds. The Lancaster based boxers won the evening 6-3, but the quality of boxing was very high. The night was a real success, and there is already talk of a similar night next year. The 3 Yorks boxing team will reform in the New Year.
EVENTS
The return of Burma Company was also marked by the popular "Battalion's Got Talent" Event. Held in the Wellesley, the show was attended by 600 people, including soldiers and their families. It was eventually won by the Fijian War Dance, but an impressive number of performers came forward in the end! Not only was the evening a great way to reunite the Battalion after periods in Iraq and Afghanistan, but more than £1500 was raised for Help the Heroes and the Army Benevolent Fund.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The Wellesley, opened on 1 April 2009, has proven to be a real success. This new "super-diner" has excellent facilities including the main eating area, shop and bars. The next step in the update of Battlesbury Barracks will be the opening of new accommodation blocks in the spring of 2010. This new accommodation will be "z-type", with every room including an en-suite shower, and will be warmly welcomed by those returning from the Falklands and Afghanistan.