The Year Ahead - the Yorkshire Regiment ...
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FEBRUARY 2020
FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE
The Year Ahead
By Brigadier AT Jackson CBE
2020 promises to be an interesting and
rewarding year for The Yorkshire
Regiment. Of particular note, there will
be a brief period in early summer when
all three battalions are co-located in
Yorkshire; this will be the first time in
our history that this has happened.
The 1st Battalion moves from
Warminster to Alma Barracks in
Catterick; no sooner is it back from
operations, than the 2nd Battalion
heads to Cyprus for two years; and the
4th Battalion is looking forward to an
Annual Deployment Exercise in USA in
late July.
The regimental programme is busy
from May to July with the Inter Services
T20 at Lord’s, Officers’ Dinner, York Races,
National Armed Forces Day in
Scarborough, Officers’ Mentoring Day,
all-ranks Cross-Brief, 2 YORKS’ Medal
Parade and the Great Yorkshire Show all in
that period. That doesn’t take in to account
any activities taking place concurrently at
battalion level. We intend to make the
most of the opportunities that all these
present, especially National Armed Forces
Day when we will be providing the
Regimental Band, the Army’s marching
contingent (from 1 YORKS) and the G4
support to the whole event (4 YORKS).
■ We look forward to parading the Colours at AFD 2020 in Scarborough
The next Strategic Defence and
Security Review (SDSR) is due to happen legal protections to serving personnel and structures, but you can be sure that we
this year. It will examine the defence and veterans are also likely to attract will contribute however we can; my
security landscape, and identify current considerable attention and the UK’s future aspiration is that, with our strong links
and emerging threats. It will then defence relationship with the EU should throughout Yorkshire and beyond, we
determine how best to organise and equip become clearer. We do not know whether remain firmly in the Army’s ORBAT as a
the armed forces. Proposals to provide the Review will have implications for Army top-tier Infantry regiment.
www.army.mod.uk/yorks
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Battalion Updates
1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment
is all going on 1 YORKS will leave
Battlesbury Barracks in June, our home for
the past 14 years, and move to Catterick
and back to God’s Country.
Sporting success continues with our
rugby team reaching the Army Rugby
Union Premiership Cup Final for the third
time in four years; we look to play 9RLC
on the 18th March 2020 at Aldershot. Our
football team continues to compete within
the Army, Divisional and Infantry Cup
competitions and are set for podium
finishes in all competitions. It is not just
the primary sports where we are seeing
success. Our Fisherman have achieved
consistent Corps and Army level
representation and our orienteering team
continues to go from strength-to-strength.
Feb 2020 saw our nordic and alpine skiers
return from the continent following two
months of hard training and competition.
Our nordic team flew through the Infantry
Championships and made their way to the
Divisional Championships despite being
an entirely novice team. During this
competition the team were crowned the
1 YORKS have begun 2020 with the same subsequently deploying to Sennelager, Novice Champions in the Military Patrol
gusto and enthusiasm that was displayed Germany to confirm our Armoured Race. Our alpine team also performed
throughout the whole of 2019. The pedigree as part of the journey to admirably and had some significant
Battalion continues to be held at High deployment to Canada in 2021. Whilst this individual successes.
Readiness until April 20 as the Lead
Armoured Battle Group, the spearhead of
the Warfighting Division, ready to deploy
anywhere in the world at a moment’s
notice. Worldwide opportunities are also
aplenty. Corunna Company will deploy to
Belize as a Light-Role Company from
March-June to hone their infantry skills in
one of the harshest environments the
world has to offer. Our Anti-Tank Pl
deploys to the USA on Ex DIAMOND
BACK in May, and we are committed to
delivering Short-Term Training Teams to
North Macedonia and Kenya to train the
local security forces. Later in the year,
Alma Company will deploy to Bulgaria
with the Battlegroup as a whole ■ Planning for the inter-company patrolling competition on Dartmoor
www.army.mod.uk/yorks
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2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment
The 2nd Battalion is currently in Kabul, which we have set. At home our Rear
paired with 2nd Battalion The Parachute Operations Group continue at pace,
Regiment, we form the Kabul Protection training newly arrived soldiers to deploy to
Unit charged with the security of the Kabul, supporting Army commitments far
coalition and international community in and wide and importantly providing support
the Afghan capital. The mission is to the families of those deployed.
challenging and complex, we conduct our While we remain focussed on the task
daily business against a tense political in hand, we also keep an eye to our next
backdrop as the US, Afghans and their commitment. Summer 2020 will see the
partners seek a path to peace. In this Battalion bid farewell to Yorkshire and
setting the actions of the individual and return to Cyprus for two years, providing
their skill in protecting the advisors, operational effect through readiness and
whose security they are charged with is in force protection tasks. Preparations for the
the spotlight. Our soldiers have risen to move are well underway, particularly the
this challenge, with enthusiasm and flair work needed to move the families. Cyprus
and have received high praise from all provides a unique and exciting opportunity
quarters for their open, honest and for our soldiers, both in terms of the
friendly approach, the hallmark of the training available and the lifestyle afforded
Yorkshire soldier. As we reach the to families. We continue to look forward to
midpoint of the tour our focus remains on the year ahead and the challenges and
honing individual and collective skills, opportunities it brings, in Afghanistan, in
ensuring that we maintain the standards the UK and onward to Cyprus.
4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment
the third successive year the Battalion has
trained overseas, demonstrating capability
to provide operational output. The soldiers
are really looking forward to the
opportunity to make full use of the US air
assets. Meanwhile our Band have put
together an ambitious plan of Defence
existing presence at Manor Top Army
Engagement events that will see them
Reserve. The platoons will then move
perform in various locations on the East
across the car park into a newly
Coast of the USA.
refurbished part of the estate and into a
We will also be taking part in the 75th
building named Loosemore VC House,
anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day
commemorating one of our World War
in May and Victory in Japan (VJ) day in
One Victoria Cross (VC) recipients from
August. June sees us take part in
the City of Sheffield.
Reserves Day as part of Armed Forces
Day (AFD). 4 YORKS have been selected
to support this year’s National AFD in
Scarborough where we hope to see
Once again, the year kicks off with a long 1 YORKS exercise the Freedom of the
list of tasks and opportunities. Training is Borough in full view of the Nation.
now fully focused on our build up to Early in 2020, 4 YORKS will undergo
attend the US Army’s large-scale Exercise some organisational restructuring with a
Northern Strike in Michigan, USA. This Platoon from Burma Coy moving from
Annual Continuous Training (ACT) will be Barnsley to Sheffield to reinforce the
www.army.mod.uk/yorks
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Band
The calendar looks to be filling up fast with Piece Hall on Sunday 14th June. Armed
high profile engagements from Regional Forces Day weekend 27/28th June follows,
Command taking precedence. Recruiting with 4 YORKS and 2 YORKS Dinners on 4th
continues to be steady with 4 recruits in and 11th July prior to Exercise Northern
various stages of the recruiting process Strike from 18 July – 2 August and the
and looking to recruit even more quality Band’s Defence Engagement in
musicians over the next 12 months, edging Washington, New York and Toronto. A quick
the band closer to 40 members. weekend off before 75th Anniversary of VJ
Jan – Mar is full of rehearsals for the Day 15–16th August, and the possibility of
Summer Season, training days/CPD and the unofficial unveiling of the British
Career Employment Exams where most of Normandy Memorial on 4–5th September.
the engagements are dinner nights. A concert in Clitheroe to mark the 80th
The concerts planned for April – June Anniversary of the Battle of Britain before
include a St George’s Day Concert in we lead into our Remembrance Day
Wakefield Cathedral Saturday 25th April; engagements, culminating with A Festival
75th Anniversary of VE Day Concert in of Remembrance in Huddersfield Town Hall
Dewsbury Town Hall Saturday 9th May, on 6th November.
York Races on 30 May, The Queen’s A busy but exciting few months ahead
Birthday Gun Salute in York 13th June, for the Band with engagements already
followed by an afternoon concert in Halifax coming in for 2021. ■ The Band in Copenhagen
AHQ(N) Richmond
Area Headquarters North have been extremely busy since the always there and can have great benefits, especially for
1st of January. We have embarked on a programme of meetings recruiting both regulars and reservists. This also provides us with
with every Armed Forces Champion in our freedom towns as the opportunity to learn what support veterans may need in the
well as smaller towns like Whitby, Yarm and Northallerton. It’s future. Many of you will not know of the AHQs, we are here to
very important that the local community is informed where the support you and your families, so please get in touch if you need
Regiment has been, and where it is heading. The local interest is assistance in any way. Office Manager Mike Crisp 01748822133
The Yorkshire Regiment Association
The YRA continues to grow. Readers are Memorial unveiling on 4th September in when you need us. We can help members
encouraged to attend the AGM on Normandy. We are also planning a big of the regimental family with Job finding,
Saturday 7th March, at the Hilton Hotel, push to for YRA members to march in Benefits understanding, Housing, Mental
York, next door to RHQ. Coffee will be London on Remembrance Sunday. Details health and PTSD. You are all members of
served at 1030 and lunch at 1300 hours. of the above will be available on the YRA the YRA, so why not get involved now and
We will discuss the YRA race day on 30 website. not just when you are in crisis?
May and opportunities to attend a We are also pulling together a letter for Email: yorksassociation@btconnect.com
regimental gathering on 6th June in service leavers to keep safe at home and
France, the Great Yorkshire Show and the remind you of how to contact the YRA
Regimental Headquarters
RHQ Yorks, 3 Tower Street, York YO1 9SB
Tel: 01904 461019
YORKS_Regt YORKSRegt @yorksregt
www.army.mod.uk/yorks
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