FUSILIER NEWS

Regimental Headquarters The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers HM Tower of London London EC3N 4AB

Tel: 020-3166-6909 Fax: 020-3166-6920 E-mail:

RHQ/RRF/1363 29 March 2011

RHQ

Honours & Awards

The Colonel of the Regiment on behalf of all ranks congratulates Lt Col John Matthews on being awarded an operational OBE.

Visit of the Colonel in Chief

The Colonel in Chief, Field Marshal His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent visited 2 RRF and 5 RRF in Celle and Otterburn respectively in early March. The Colonel in Chief spent the day in Celle where he visited riot control training, the main BFG School and the Battalion sponsored nursery school where he also met some of the Battalion wives. He also presented operational and other awards in the WO and Sgts’ Mess. With 5 RRF he visited the 50 strong cohort from the Battalion who were on pre-deployment training for Afghanistan at Otterburn. For once there was not a cloud in the sky. There will be more on these visits in the next Fusilier News.

SDSR

There remains no further information on SDSR. The studies into; the Infantry Directorate, RHQs/AHQs and MOD sponsored museums continue, and until their findings have been staffed to the Chain of Command any comment on the final outcome would be mere speculation. Strategically, the work to produce effective yet affordable Armed Forces also continues with several options being staffed. No final decisions have yet been taken.

New Memorial at the National Arboretum

At the Council Meeting in March, the Council agreed on the basic design for the new Fusilier Memorial at the National Arboretum. Details will be promulgated by the Memorial Committee shortly. Donations for the Memorial should be sent to RHQ and made payable to the Fusilier Fund.

1 RRF

Recce and Sniper Platoon Training

Following two weeks deployed, as part of the Battalion’s commitment to Ex PASHTUN DAGGER, the Reconnaissance and Sniper Platoon conducted a week’s cadre training. The platoon has recently received a surge in manpower from the Rifle companies and has about a dozen unqualified Fusiliers and LCpls to train as Recce Operators or Snipers. The focus of the week was a general introduction to reconnaissance ‘core-skills’ and dismounted tactics. The main focus for the practical lessons were patrol contact drills, conduct of the close- target- reconnaissance, marking and briefing of Battle Group control measures and other associated dismounted skills. These lessons were largely taught by the platoon’s qualified Recce and Sniper Section Commanders as well the newly qualified Jungle Warfare Advisor. Cpls Phil Harris, Lee Griffiths, Alan Brooks and Lenny Barrass delivered some excellent ‘in the field’ lessons accompanied by imaginative practical tests.

The culmination was a platoon sized reconnaissance of several large objectives, after which the patrol commanders were required to deliver a detailed back-brief to OC W Coy, Major Hamish Macpherson, OC Recce Pl, Captain Steve Carter and 2IC CSgt Lee Jones. As a final test of robustness and determination the platoon completed the week with a speed march followed by a stretcher race. All ranks from the platoon underwent the training either as a refresher or introduction for the new soldiers. The next phase of training will be a two-week Sniper Pre-course, including live- firing of the L115A3 sniper rifle prior to their attendance on the Infantry Battle School course.

Cpl Griffiths gives a lesson to the Cadre Capt Carter delivering orders

Z Company Adventure Training (AT) and Recruiting Week 21-25 Feb 2011

During the last week of February Z Company travelled to the North West to conduct adventurous training and recruiting. The Company stayed at Halton Training Camp, a location that a lot of the Fusiliers remembered well from their time at ITC Catterick. Each day groups travelled to either Ambleside or Holcombe Moor to carry out their designated activity. The groups conducting hill walking where they ascended Wansfell Pike and Baystones and took in views of a number of waterfalls and reservoirs around Stickle Tarn. When the mist cleared, good views back down into Ambleside and Elterwater were revealed. Fusiliers William Clifford and Bradley Turner showed particular enthusiasm to reach the summit during the hill walking. The Fusiliers who were recruiting gave encouragement to groups conducting their pre-course, prior to joining the Army and took the time to explain exactly what life in the Fusiliers is like. The week was a great success and provided the Company with an excellent opportunity to take in some of the spectacular scenery in the Lake District and also demonstrate to future Fusiliers some of the activities they can look forward to participating in when they reach Battalion.

Gunnery Ranges

Y Company travelled down to Lulworth for a week of ranges with the task of qualifying all crew members from Live Firing one to Annual Crew Test by the end of the 5 days. On day one it took some time to blow out the cobwebs, but the gunners and commanders soon got into the swing of things after some firm, diligent instruction and guidance from the instructors, Cpl Matthew Mackie and Cpl Brett Bland.

The weather held up well all week which aided the progression of the shoots. Top gunning came in the form of Dmr Ross Sewell-Harper and commander LCpl Tony ‘big guns’ Waters; who scored a 12, Level 6 on their ACT, missing only 2 targets on the whole shoot. The week came to a close on the Friday with some ‘clag’ that prevented firing, however on the whole it was a great week had by all, and a refreshing break to life on Salisbury Plain!

Ex Pashtun Dagger 26th Jan – 11th Feb

The final PASHTUN exercise on 1 RRF’s calendar was for 3Cdo Bde. Y Company occupied positions at Blackball Firs, Greenlands camp and the infamous Copehill Down Village. The ‘insurgent’ teams were led by Lt Rick Smith and Lt Mark Mulholland and their teams caused significant damage to the exercising troops in the form of their ‘shoot and scoot’ tactics. These tactics proved sound, although the civillian Mitsubishi Warriors were put through their paces when trying to escape Jackals (one of the latest vehicles designed for ops in Afghanistan! The blue force was also kept on their toes by the likes of Sgt Phil Fergerson, who managed to surprise a late night VCP with a L29 which caught a placid RLC Pte off guard!

Morale was kept high by the new RSM who delivered the newspapers to all locations. A late night movie club was also a highlight of each day which gave the troops a cinema experience which was enhanced by the copious amounts of ‘claccy’ provided by the CQMS.

A particular highlight of the exercise was the strike Op by B21 aka Cpl Richard Worswick, which was a classic example of how the determination of Fusiliers can deny blue force from doing anything right. Four Fusiliers managed to hold off a company of men from entering a compound for 25 minutes, resulting in the need for the DS to kill them off in order to allow capture of the location by blue forces.

It was not all work for Y Company this month. The company took a day to practice their marksmanship principles for real when they went paintballing! This proved to be a great day both in terms of team bonding and raising morale after a hectic start to the year.

Y Coy paintballing Ma Edd Sutthery AKA The Lone Wolf

Rugby

On 23 Feb the First Fusiliers rugby team took on 32 Regt RA. This was 1 RRF’s first competitive game for nearly two years and was eagerly anticipated by all involved. The game was very evenly matched from the start although the Fusiliers rode their luck to a degree after nearly conceding two dis-allowed tries in the first half. The Artillery had the upper hand in the pack, they were well drilled and had a strong scrum but the Fusiliers battled hard. The Fusiliers backs were very strong both in defence and in the open spaces that presented themselves well as the game wore on. There were some fantastic runs by Fus Paul Tuinasakea, Sikeli Ratubuli and Inia Qoilevu. The Artillery eventually won the game 18-17, which was still a very good result s given the lack game time and trainin.

Capt Paul ‘Hogoblin Cooper puts in at the scrum

On 2 Mar the First Fusiliers played their second game of the season, a “friendly” against 2 RWELSH “Dragons” (their second team). This was a far more serious encounter. Given that rugby is 2 RW’s primary sport and their first team had won the Army Cup five times in the last six years a tough game was expected. The Fusiliers drew first blood scoring the first try and from there put in a gritty and solid performance. The Welsh were again very well drilled and ran and tackled hard, however the Fusiliers were stronger at the set-pieces and worked very hard in defence. The spaces that opened up towards the end of the game suited the 2 RRF running style of play and a number of other tries were scored. Fus Paul Tuinasakea (again), Capt Tom Atkinson and Training Officer, Capt Paul Cooper who was facing his parent regiment all produced fine performances! The Fusiliers won the game (and some bragging rights) 24-10 which was a fantastic result for the Fusiliers and one that 1 RRF will aim to build on for future matches and into the league next season.

AHQ LANCASHIRE

Introduction.

This has been an interesting period dominated by preparation for the Gallipoli Weekend in April. It has also witnessed considerable media interest in Fusilier Heritage and discussions between The Fusiliers Museum and trustees of the Fusilier museums in Warwick and Alnwick with a view to increased cooperation. As a result of the Gallipoli preparation a series of glass slides with images of the Lancashire Fusiliers has been found illustrating the territorial battalions of the “LFs” as part of the 42nd East Lancashire Division first in Egypt and then in Gallipoli. These images are too good to miss, so they will illustrate this month’s notes.

Hartshead Moor.

What is now the annual commemoration of the M62 Bombing took place at the beginning of February. The event took place at the new memorial at the Hartshead Service Area and a Regimental contingent attended led by Alan Noble. The “Troubles” are now part of history and perhaps for the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers commemorating the Regiment’s part in Northern Ireland is just as relevant to Fusilier heritage as Gallipoli. Therefore if you ever find yourself driving over the Pennines on the M62 from Leeds, it only takes a few minutes to stop and pay your respects at the memorial.

Gallipoli Preparation.

The commemoration of the landing of the 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers on W Beach on the Gallipoli peninsula is a little earlier this year. Gallipoli Day (25th April) is also Easter Monday therefore the Gallipoli Commemoration has been moved forward and will take place over the Weekend 16/17 April. This weekend is the Regiment’s main effort in the commemoration of an important part of our Fusilier heritage. It is therefore anticipated that all parts of the Regimental family in Lancashire will be present over the Gallipoli Weekend.

Accrington Pals.

The Area Secretary represented the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at the annual service to commemorate the departure of the Accrington Pals for France in 1915. The Accrington Pals were in fact the 11th Service Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment but came to represent the many “Pal” battalions that were raised in Lancashire. Lancashire has a fine military heritage with no less than seven infantry regiments, including the Lancashire Fusiliers, recruiting from the Red Rose County. No other county in the United Kingdom can claim such a proud military tradition.

Warwick & Northumberland.

Colonel Brian Gorski and Lieutenant Colonel Mike Glover paid an important visit to Warwick to meet David Owen, John Turquand and the museum staff to discuss future museum cooperation. The next day a team from Northumberland including Colonel Simon Marr, Lieutenant Colonel Guy Moncur, with Leslie and Ruth from the museum descended on Bury to discuss similar issues. It is clear that there is considerable common ground between the museums and that while primacy remains with the trustees of the antecedent regimental collections there is considerable potential for getting better value out of limited resources by coordination at a regimental level

Media Interest in Fusilier Heritage.

It is clear that heritage remains popular with the press and that there is considerable potential to promote the regiment today by utilising the Regiment’s past. BBC Radio Manchester came to the Fusilier Museum to record part of a story on the history of Bury and no history of Bury would be complete without an account of the Lancashire Fusiliers and indeed the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers today. Later the Area Secretary took part in a live two hour radio programme run by BBC Radio Lancashire from Blackburn. The programme considered the bravery and commitment of Lancashire servicemen past and present, from Gallipoli to Afghanistan. Over the past six years 95% of all North West media interest in the Fusiliers has been generated by the Lancashire Headquarters/Fusilier Museum. Heritage sells

Commandant Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force (GMACF).

The link with the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force was strengthened when the Commandant decided to hold his quarterly command group meeting in the Gallipoli Room of the Lancashire Headquarters. There are eight Fusilier Detachments in GMACF all of which, bar one, are part of No 1 Minden Company. GMACF has five companies, with approximately 250 adults and over 1,250 cadets and is one of the largest ACFs in the UK. It runs a very busy programme with some training activity going on virtually every weekend. The Fusilier cadets now constitute the largest Fusilier presence in the North West and are consequently a vital part of the Regiment in the North West. In view of this strengthening link GMACF have agreed to sponsor the children’s play area in the Fusilier Museum.