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ÔTANKIESÕ TO MARCH THROUGH BRISTOL
Pictured: 2 RTR on parade in front of Bristol City Hall
After a demanding and successful final tour of Afghanistan, 200 soldiers from The 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2 RTR) marched through the streets of Bristol to mark their return home today, Thursday 6 February 2014.
The Wiltshire based Regiment spent almost seven months on active duty as part of Operation HERRICK 18 in Helmand Province, providing support to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The Regiment, based in Tidworth, Wiltshire, played a vital role in ensuring that the ANSF are fully prepared to take control of their country. The Regiment’s deployment on this operation was its last prior to amalgamation with 1st Royal Tank Regiment in August 2014.
Accompanied by applause from the public, the ‘Tankies’ in their unique black overalls, proudly marched through the city centre of Bristol, the heart of their recruitment area. Despite the rain, the parade stepped off from College Green making its way along St Augustine’s Parade to the Cenotaph before returning back along the same route to salute the dais as they passed. Taking the salute was the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Mrs Mary Prior MBE JP, The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Faruk Choudhray and the Colonel Commandant’s Representative, Lieutenant Colonel David Catmur. The parade concluded back on College Green and music was provided throughout by The Band of The Prince of Wales’s Division.
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Williams said:
“The Regiment had a hugely successful tour, leaving Central Helmand a much better place with a genuinely positive outlook for the future.”
“But this success is also due to the hard work of our comrades on previous tours, and the enormous support we received from back home, especially those from Bristol.”
Returning from his first tour, 22 year old Trooper Danny Evans from Withywood, Bristol said:
“We were the most used asset out there and it was good to work with my mates, we formed a close bond”
“I have done a parade before but this time I have done the tour as well and that is great! I joined the Tank Regiment because it is my local regiment and I was very proud to march through my home town today”
After a short reception at the City Hall, the Regiment then moved off to watch the 2 RTR football team play a friendly match against the Bristol City FC Under-21s. The game, originally scheduled to be played at City’s ground at Ashton Court, was relocated to the Hand Stadium in Clevedon due to the wet weather.
END
NOTES TO EDITORS:
•The Royal Tank Regiment is the oldest tank unit in the world, forged in the horrors of the First World War. Originally formed from the Machine Gun Corps, the pioneers of armoured warfare became the Tank Corps, whose numbers expanded rapidly, forming 18 battalions by the start of 1919. In the Second World War, the Royal Tank Regiment (as it had become known) had as many as 25 battalions fighting all over the world.
•The Regiment deployed on Operation HERRICK 18 in several different roles. Battle Group Headquarters and Egypt Squadron deployed as Transition Support Unit, Lashkar Gah, responsible for providing support to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) where necessary. Badger Squadron deployed as the Warthog Group, supporting deliberate operations conducted by British forces. Cyclops Squadron Headquarters deployed as mentors to an Afghan National Army (ANA) unit.
•1st and 2nd Royal Tank Regiments will merge in August 2014 as part of the restructuring of the British Army, and will form The Royal Tank Regiment, based in Tidworth.
•Bristol is at the heart of the recruiting area for 2 RTR and in support of the Army’s national recruitment campaign ‘More Than Meets the Eye’ there were stands from various Units and Regiments based in the South West on display in the city centre. Designed to attract new recruits to full-time Regular and part-time Reserve roles, the campaign aims to put right people’s misconceptions of what a career in the Army is really like by showcasing the wide range of roles and opportunities available. It features real soldiers and officers from a diverse range of Army roles, including electricians, bricklayers and HR specialists. TV adverts are supported by digital, radio and cinema advertising that will run until March.
If you have any further questions, please call Tammy Dixon, Army Press Office South West on 01980 656422/07780 764890.
NOTE TO DESKS:
MoD release authorised handout images.
All images remain Crown Copyright 2013.
Photo credit to read - Cpl Si Longworth RLC (Phot)
Email: simonlongworth@mediaops.army.mod.uk
richardwatt@mediaops.army.mod.uk
shanewilkinson@mediaops.army.mod.uk
Si Longworth - 07414 191994
Richard Watt - 07836 515306
Shane Wilkinson - 07901 590723
ÔTANKIESÕ TO MARCH THROUGH BRISTOL
Pictured: 2 RTR on parade in front of Bristol City Hall
After a demanding and successful final tour of Afghanistan, 200 soldiers from The 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2 RTR) marched through the streets of Bristol to mark their return home today, Thursday 6 February 2014.
The Wiltshire based Regiment spent almost seven months on active duty as part of Operation HERRICK 18 in Helmand Province, providing support to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The Regiment, based in Tidworth, Wiltshire, played a vital role in ensuring that the ANSF are fully prepared to take control of their country. The Regiment’s deployment on this operation was its last prior to amalgamation with 1st Royal Tank Regiment in August 2014.
Accompanied by applause from the public, the ‘Tankies’ in their unique black overalls, proudly marched through the city centre of Bristol, the heart of their recruitment area. Despite the rain, the parade stepped off from College Green making its way along St Augustine’s Parade to the Cenotaph before returning back along the same route to salute the dais as they passed. Taking the salute was the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Mrs Mary Prior MBE JP, The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Faruk Choudhray and the Colonel Commandant’s Representative, Lieutenant Colonel David Catmur. The parade concluded back on College Green and music was provided throughout by The Band of The Prince of Wales’s Division.
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Williams said:
“The Regiment had a hugely successful tour, leaving Central Helmand a much better place with a genuinely positive outlook for the future.”
“But this success is also due to the hard work of our comrades on previous tours, and the enormous support we received from back home, especially those from Bristol.”
Returning from his first tour, 22 year old Trooper Danny Evans from Withywood, Bristol said:
“We were the most used asset out there and it was good to work with my mates, we formed a close bond”
“I have done a parade before but this time I have done the tour as well and that is great! I joined the Tank Regiment because it is my local regiment and I was very proud to march through my home town today”
After a short reception at the City Hall, the Regiment then moved off to watch the 2 RTR football team play a friendly match against the Bristol City FC Under-21s. The game, originally scheduled to be played at City’s ground at Ashton Court, was relocated to the Hand Stadium in Clevedon due to the wet weather.
END
NOTES TO EDITORS:
•The Royal Tank Regiment is the oldest tank unit in the world, forged in the horrors of the First World War. Originally formed from the Machine Gun Corps, the pioneers of armoured warfare became the Tank Corps, whose numbers expanded rapidly, forming 18 battalions by the start of 1919. In the Second World War, the Royal Tank Regiment (as it had become known) had as many as 25 battalions fighting all over the world.
•The Regiment deployed on Operation HERRICK 18 in several different roles. Battle Group Headquarters and Egypt Squadron deployed as Transition Support Unit, Lashkar Gah, responsible for providing support to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) where necessary. Badger Squadron deployed as the Warthog Group, supporting deliberate operations conducted by British forces. Cyclops Squadron Headquarters deployed as mentors to an Afghan National Army (ANA) unit.
•1st and 2nd Royal Tank Regiments will merge in August 2014 as part of the restructuring of the British Army, and will form The Royal Tank Regiment, based in Tidworth.
•Bristol is at the heart of the recruiting area for 2 RTR and in support of the Army’s national recruitment campaign ‘More Than Meets the Eye’ there were stands from various Units and Regiments based in the South West on display in the city centre. Designed to attract new recruits to full-time Regular and part-time Reserve roles, the campaign aims to put right people’s misconceptions of what a career in the Army is really like by showcasing the wide range of roles and opportunities available. It features real soldiers and officers from a diverse range of Army roles, including electricians, bricklayers and HR specialists. TV adverts are supported by digital, radio and cinema advertising that will run until March.
If you have any further questions, please call Tammy Dixon, Army Press Office South West on 01980 656422/07780 764890.
NOTE TO DESKS:
MoD release authorised handout images.
All images remain Crown Copyright 2013.
Photo credit to read - Cpl Si Longworth RLC (Phot)
Email: simonlongworth@mediaops.army.mod.uk
richardwatt@mediaops.army.mod.uk
shanewilkinson@mediaops.army.mod.uk
Si Longworth - 07414 191994
Richard Watt - 07836 515306
Shane Wilkinson - 07901 590723