UK: Army Battle Honours awarded for Operation Telic

[Dave Danner]

http://www.news.mod.uk/news_headline_story...ewsItem_id=3745

Army Battle Honours awarded for Operation Telic

Published Friday 11th November 2005

Her Majesty The Queen has approved a Battle Honour and Theatre Honour to be awarded to units in the British Army for their contribution to operations in Iraq during 2003.

Commenting on the Honours, Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, said:

"These Honours represent an historic and traditional means of recognising the immense efforts British soldiers have made in bringing democracy to Iraq. Our soldiers and their families can be very proud of the role they have performed and the sacrifices they have made to guarantee a brighter future for the people of Iraq."

In June 2005 Her Majesty The Queen approved the award of a Theatre Honour 'IRAQ 2003' and the Battle Honour 'AL BASRAH' for units of the British Army. Subsequently, individual Regiments and Corps applied to the Army Honours and Distinctions Committee for the award of these Honours. Following receipt of the Committee's recommendations, the Executive Committee of the Army Board has obtained The Queen's permission to award the following honours:

Regiments and Corps to be awarded the Theatre Honour 'IRAQ 2003' are:

The Life Guards, The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, The Royal Yeomanry, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys), The Queen's Royal Lancers, Royal Tank Regiment, Irish Guards (already awarded), The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, The Light Infantry, The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and The Ulster Defence Regiment), The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding), The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), The Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps

The following Regiments and Corps are to be awarded the Battle Honour 'AL BASRAH':

The Life Guards, The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys), The Queen's Royal Lancers, Royal Tank Regiment, Irish Guards (already awarded), The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, The Light Infantry, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), The Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps

HM The Queen gave early approval, in June 2005, for the Irish Guards to be awarded the Theatre Honour 'IRAQ 2003' and the Battle Honour 'AL BASRAH'. This early award allowed the Irish Guards to Troop their colour, with their new Theatre Honour emblazoned upon it, at The Queen's Birthday Parade.

[bigjarofwasps]

Cheers Dave, what an interesting thread!!!!!!!!!! I`d like to add this, which I found very interesting, thanks for drawing my attention to it!!!!!

Brief History of The Royal Yeomanry

The Royal Yeomanry (RY) was formed on 1 April 1967 following the amalgamation of five distinguished old county Yeomanry Regiments, with the Regimental Headquarters based in Central London. Originally employed as a medium reconnaissance regiment, their role changed in in the 1990s to providing both main battle tank crews as well as soldiers for the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Regiment . In January 2003 members of the Regiment formed a composite Squadron and were deployed for operations in Iraq under command of the Joint NBC Regiment. This marked the first mobilisation of a TA unit since the Suez conflict.

The Present

The Royal Yeomanry today has a vital role providing reserves for Challenger 2 regiments aas well as the NBC Regiment. The Regiment continues to provide troops for operations in Iraq. There are 3 squadrons of Challenger 2, based in Nottingham, Leicester and Croydon. The other 2 squadrons are based in London and Swindon and train on the new Joint NBC Regiment's equipment. Land Rover Scout Cars are used to gain crew skills in navigation, tactical movement and communication. The Regiment also develops leadership skills and an adventurous spirit by conducting a wide variety of expeditions and sports.

The Future

The exact future role of the Royal Yeomanry is to be decided by an ongoing review of Army structures. What is known, however, is that members of the Regiment will maintain the ability to support regular troops on operations. At home their Nuclear Biological and Chemical capability will continue to form part of the national response to terrorist attack or emergency. At no time since the Second World War has The Royal Yeomanry played such an important part in the national security interests of the United Kingdom. Its place at the heart of this effort provides a rewarding and challenging experience for all involved.