25 FEBRUARY 2010 - 2 YORKS SOLDIER HELPS MAKES HISTORY. Lance Corporal Johnathan "Jono" Lee, 27 from Newark, Who lost his right leg below the knee in Helmand province in 2007 after his Snatch Land ­Rover was blown up, is one of 14 ex-servicemen with just 15 legs between them making history as the first all amputee sailing crew to compete in one of the worlds most ­prestigious yacht races. The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Caribbean 600, an epic voyage that will push them to the limit. The crew range in age from 27 to 72 and hold ranks from private to colonel, but share an extraordinary bond which they describe as a fellowship of shared experience. The gruelling challenge, which will take up to four days over 605 nautical miles, looping round the Caribbean, starts at 10am ­tomorrow. To add to the ­pressure the boat, which has no special modifications to make it easier for them to control, had an eleventh-hour change of skipper after amputee Colin Rouse broke his remaining leg skiing and had to drop out.

22 FEBRUARY 2010 - 2 YORKS OLYMPIAN. Going for Gold, Stockton on Tees soldier Lance Corporal Lee Steve Jackson has been selected to represent the British Olympic Biathlon Team at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Lee a Lance Corporal in The Second Battalion started competing in biathlon in 1997, His international debut came two years after that, meaning Lee has been part of the British team for just over a decade, The Vancouver Games will be his first Olympic Winter Games, where to his credit came 56th in the 12.5K Biathlon and 55th in the 10K, Lee has one more event to complete which is the 20K Biathlon.

19 FEBRUARY 2010 - FALKLAND ISLAND ROULEMONT INFANTRY COMPANY VISITORS. 3 YORKS have been joined by a party of four TA soldiers from 4 YORKS. WO2's Mike Chyzak, Charlie Carter, Sgt Becky Trousdale and LCpl Kenny Wilson flew out on in January to join Alma Company who are visiting the Islands as the Infantry Roulemont Company. The four have been taking part in or supporting field firing exercises on the wet and windswept islands. WO2 Carter has been teaching on revision periods to the mortar cadre and safety on the live firing phase. WO2 Chyzak has been helping out with battle simulations and Sgt Trousdale makes sure they all get put back together after the platoon attacks on the Onion Ranges. LCpl Wilson has been integrated into Alma company and carrying out Quick Reaction Force patrols and taking advantage of the excellent live fire range package. A company from 1 YORKS will replace Alma Company at the end of the month.

16 FEBRUARY 2010 - FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS OF LANCE CORPORAL GRAHAM SHAW AND CORPORAL LIAM RILEY [3 YORKS].

LCpl Graham Shaw is to be buried with full military honours on Monday 22 Feb 10. Grahams' family have requested for the service to take place at St John the Evangelist Church in Golcar, Huddersfield at 14.00hrs. This will be followed by a Burial Service within the church graveyard attended only by the family, close friends and military personnel. All those attending are asked to be seated by 13.35hrs. The family have requested that personnel do not purchase flowers and wreaths with the exception of a Regimental Wreath and family flowers. They would prefer that people make a donation to their chosen charity which is the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Trust. A collection tray will be available at the church to make these donations.

Cpl Liam Riley is to be buried with full military honours on Wednesday 24 Feb 10. Liams' family have requested for the service to take place at Sheffield Cathedral at 11.00hrs. This will be followed by a Burial Service in Killamarsh Cemetery attended only by the family, close friends and military personnel. All those attending are asked to be seated by 10.35hrs. The family have requested that personnel do not purchase flowers and wreaths with the exception of a Regimental Wreath and family flowers. They would prefer that personnel make a donation to the following charities: The Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Trust, The Army Benevolent Fund and Help for Heroes. A collection tray will be available at the church to make these donations.

Attending Service Personnel. All Officers in attendance should wear service dress with medals and leather. No swords are to be carried and black arm bands are to be worn. Warrant Officers are to wear No2 dress with medals, leather and black arm bands. Please note that there is limited seating at both locations.

1 FEBRUARY 2010 - LANCE CORPORAL GRAHAM SHAW AND CORPORAL LIAM RILEY KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN [3 YORKS].
It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal Liam Riley and Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, both from the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), were killed in Afghanistan on Monday 1 February 2010.

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment said:
"Typically, Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was at the front of the patrol when he was tragically killed by an IED in Helmand. He was 27 years old, totally selfless, an excellent soldier and the best of fun. He had that knack of being able to balance both work and play to ensure he got the very best out of all that he tackled. He was from Huddersfield and he had that Yorkshire fighting spirit in abundance. You would want him on your team whatever the task. Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was at his best on operations where he thrived under the added pressure and difficult conditions. He would brighten your day with his sense of humour and determination to get the job done. Lance Corporal Graham Shaw's loss is felt by us all in this close knit Battalion but none more so than by his family and friends and our thoughts and prayers are with them. A great soldier and a great bloke who served his country and his friends, making Afghanistan a better place."

The Commanding Officer went on to say:
"Corporal Liam Riley volunteered at short notice to serve in Afghanistan such was his eagerness to do his duty. He was a strapping soldier from Sheffield and at only 21 years old had been identified as one of our stars of the future. He was an inspirational leader of men and was the youngest corporal in the Battalion. I have little doubt that he was heading to the top of his unique profession. He led by example, with boundless energy and an infectious smile that would spur his team on when life got tough. He was killed today by an IED in Helmand, whilst heroically returning fire to extract one of his team. He personified all the very best qualities of a Yorkshire soldier: brave, tough, honest and proud. Whilst, we take great strength from Corporal Liam Riley's distinctive courage and example his loss has hit us hard in 3 YORKS. Our thoughts and prayers are not only with his fellow soldiers who continue to rise to the challenges of Helmand but, also with his family and friends whose loss is immeasurable."