Duchess of Edinburgh welcomes home 5 RIFLES

Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh has welcomed home soldiers from 5th Battalion, The Rifles (5 RIFLES) at a homecoming event in Bulford, Wiltshire following their deployment to Estonia.

The event was also attended by families, friends, and specially invited guests, all accompanied by blues skies and autumnal sunshine.

The Royal Colonel of 5 RIFLES inspected the parade on Salisbury Plain, presented medals and spoke with personnel.

Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes CBE, Colonel Commandant The Rifles, read a message to personnel and all those gathered on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, the Regiments Colonel-in-Chief:

“I am delighted to see that you have all returned from a very successful tour from Estonia on Operation Cabrit as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence.

Today’s medals parade recognises not only your individual efforts, but also serves as a timely reminder of 5 RIFLES tireless service to the Estonian people whilst serving alongside NATO.” 

Her Majesty added:

“It’s equally important to recognise those members of the Battalion that have remained in Bulford, not least your wonderful families who, as ever, have kept the home fires burning, but also those Riflemen who have stayed behind to train Ukrainian soldiers, and support the resettling of Afghan refugees.

As your very proud Colonel in Chief, thank you for everything you do to keep this nation and our allies safe.

5 RIFLES recently returned to its headquarters on Salisbury Plain following a 6-month operational deployment to the Baltic State on Operation Cabrit (14) in support of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) as the lead Battlegroup working alongside Estonian, French, Latvian, Canadian, Lithuanian, Spanish and Finnish Forces.

Addressing 5 RIFLES personnel, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh said:

“Back in 2017 I felt very fortunate to be able to visit my Riflemen during the first deployment when the Estonian people were palpably grateful and relieved to have our support alongside other NATO forces.

“The second time I visited Estonia just a few years later with my husband’s 2 RIFLES taking the lead, the atmosphere was entirely different. Fear had been replaced with confidence along with a sense of security, and by then with operations embedded, their eyes had lifted to the future.”

And she added:

“Now the horizon is once again clouded, with uncertainty dominating everything. However, I feel sure that your presence has enabled the Estonian people to remain positive and resolute, and I commend you all for your efforts.”

This is the third time that 5 RIFLES has deployed on Operation Cabrit, where UK Armed Forces have a leading role in NATO’s eFP in the Baltic States, in order to enhance Euro-Atlantic security, reassure our Allies and deter our adversaries.

Commanding Officer, 5 RIFLES, Lieutenant Colonel Kempley Buchan-Smith:

“We’ve shown the credibility of our warfighting forces in this part of the Baltics. We have first rate kit and equipment here, and highly trained people who are absolutely dedicated to supporting Estonia in times of crisis as and when they may be required.”

He added:

“Operation Cabrit reinforces the support of UK forces on the frontline of the NATO border, it also cements our contribution to the alliance and reassures NATO of the UK’s ongoing commitment.”

The event also included a medal presentation of the King’s Coronation Medal and the Wider Service Medal (WSM), which recognises the contribution of service personnel fulfilling crucial operational roles.

Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Ross Clayton:

“It’s incredible to get the WSM. To receive that recognition for the commitment we give and the sacrifices we make being away from our families for such long periods of time, serving our country in an area where we are kept at very high readiness means a lot.”

Looking back at the deployment, Lieutenant Clayton explained that it wasn’t all about training and honing their skills:

“We helped local rugby teams improve their rugby skills, as it’s a growing sport out there. And we took time out to work with local communities around Narva City. We visited schools and taught low-level field craft skills which they absolutely loved.”

In addition to the homecoming event, it was a proud day for the families of over 30 Junior Non-Commissioned Officers who were also on the parade. They were able to see them pass-off in front of Her Royal Highness and The Rifles’ Corps Commandant following the completion of a seven-week Cadre (course). They now promote from the rank of Private to Lance Corporal and step on to the first rung of the Command ladder.