April 2009

30 April 2009 - FIRST BATTALION PREPARES TO HAND OVER IN IRAQ [1 YORKS].   Soldiers from the 1st Battalion took part in the moving ceremony to mark the departure of 20 Armoured Brigade from their Basra area of operations.  But despite all the media attention as far as the Battalion is concerned it is business as usual.  As part of their hand over A Company, under the command of Major Phil Bassingham-Searle, will hand over their Baghdad based protection force role to a Company from the 3rd Battalion.  The Wiltshire based soldiers will then form part of the 400 or so soldiers who will remain in Iraq to perform protection and training roles.
 
 
To mark the return of the 1st Battalion to Munster in Germany, take a look back at some recent reports carried out by Viking FM radio station who visited the Battalion last month in Iraq.
 
On the Battalion's return, they will conduct a Medals Parade in Germany and thereafter take part in a number of homecoming parades in Yorkshire to mark their successful completion of Operation TELIC 13.  The dates of the homecoming parades are as follows: 21 July, the York (am) and Harrogate (pm); 23 July, Kingston upon Hull (am) and Beverley (pm); 24 July, Leeds.
 
27 April 2009 - THIRD BATTALION RELAUNCH THEIR ARMY NET PAGES [3 YORKS].  The dedicated web team led my Capt Bob Carman at the 3rd Battalion have launched their new and improved Army NET pages. 
 
 
Army NET provides an unclassified notice board for serving personnel in the regiment and their friends and families.  Check out their new pages by logging into Army NET. 
 
20 April 2009 - PROJECT OFFICER APPOINTED FOR REGIMENTAL COLOUR PARADE.  Lieutenant Colonel Paul Simpson, formerly Commanding Officer of the 4th Battalion, has volunteered to head up a team to co-ordinate the 2010 Regimental Colour Parade.  The parade is due to take place on Friday 18 June 2010 and more information about the event is due to be released this summer.
 
16 April 2009 - NORTHERN IRELAND VETERANS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE.  This year the Annual Memorial Service will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 12th September 2009, and starts at 11.30am.  Guests are requested to dress for an outdoor service.
 
The service will be followed by a parade to the Ulster Ash Grove for the laying of wreaths.  
 
The service is open to all, and all Associations are welcome to parade their Standards.  For further information visit http://www.nivets.org.uk
 
15 April 2009 - REGIMENTAL JOURNAL READY TO POST. The Journal Editor is pleased to announce the release of the latest edition of the Regimental Journal.
 
Copies of the Spring Edition will be sent later this week directly from the printers.  Should you wish to subscribe, kindly vist the Journal page for information or contact RHQ in York.
 
Days Pay Scheme subscribers editions will be sent collectively to Battalions and those newly at 'E' should ensure RHQ is aware of your new posting.
 
10 April 2009 - FINALISTS ONCE AGAIN AT POCKLINGTON RUGBY SEVENS [3 YORKS].  A very long drive up from Wiltshire was made worthwhile at this year's Pocklington Rugby 7's Competition.  A team from 3 YORKS thought they would replicate their victory in the 2007 finals but were beaten by another invited team comprising of Fijians 26-12.  The competition seems to be growing from strength to strength as does the standard which helps to reinforce the Regiment's rugby reputation.
 
8 April 2009 - 14th ANNUAL YORKSHIRE SCHOOLS' RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION CUP FINALS [YRRT].  The Yorkshire Regiment once again hosted this festival of schools rugby at the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. 
 
Six finals were played from under 14's to under 18's on a typically wet and windy Yorkshire weather day.   Follow the link for the full story and the official photographers website.
 
2 April 2009 - WWII VETERANS GET COMMEMORATIVE FUNDING.  Second World War veterans can now sign up for a new multi-million pound commemorative funding scheme that will provide Lottery support for anniversary trips to the places where they saw action.  The Big Lottery Fund has opened its funding initiative, Heroes Return 2, pledging funding for veterans, spouses, widows and carers wishing to mark overseas anniversaries throughout 2009 and 2010.
 
The Fund has a Helpline 0845 000 0121 for all veterans to ring for further information. 

The Big Lottery Fund has supported veterans through the awards for all small grants programme with funding over £178,000 to support anniversary trips this year.
 
The former Heroes Return scheme awarded £16.6 million to over 39 thousand veterans, spouses, widows and carers to fund commemorative visits to Second World War battlefields, cemeteries and other significant places across the world.
 
Full details of programmes and grant awards can be found at http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/
 
1 April 2009 - MAJOR GENERAL HAMISH ROLLO.  Regimental Headquarters is sad to announce the sudden death of Major General Hamish Rollo, Colonel of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.
 
His funeral will take place in the Tidworth Garrison Church at 1400hrs Friday 3rd April 2009 followed by internment at the Tidworth Military Cemetery.  Buses will be laid on to move those attending (less Staff Car personnel) to the cemetery, and then once re-united with cars, on to the Officers' Mess, 22 Engr Regt, Perham Down.
 
Serving officers should wear SD plus mourning bands.  Civilians should wear suits with Regimental or black ties, as they see fit.