Some Interesting Articles from the MoD
by Kind Permission
Defence Public Relations (Bureau).
New Cap Badge for Royal Regiment of
Scotland
The Colonel Commandant of The Scottish Division and Scotland's most senior
serving Army Officer, Major General Euan Loudon, has unveiled the new Cap Badge
of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The new cap badge for The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The new badge will be worn by all Battalions of The Royal Regiment of Scotland
when it is formed in spring 2006. The badge, which will replace all the current
Regimental badges, was recently approved by the Army Dress Committee and granted
Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen.
The new Regiment will consist of the six regiments of the Scottish Division
which will each form a battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The six
regiments are; The Royal Scots, The Kings Own Scottish Borderers, The Black
Watch, The Highlanders, The Royal Highland Fusiliers and The Argyll and
Sutherland Highlanders.
In Autumn, 2006, the Kings Own Scottish Borderers Battalion and The Royal Scots
Battalion will merge to form a single battalion, leaving 5 Regular Battalions in
the Regiment. The current TA infantry regiments in Scotland, 51st Highland
Regiment and 52nd Lowland Regiment, will also form part of the RRS and will be
re-named 7th and 8th Battalions of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
General Loudon explained the symbology of the new badge and why it was chosen:
"Our new Regiment needs a new symbol, one that is designed on the principles of
simplicity, style, smartness, Scottishness and, above all, something of which
the soldiers can be proud. It has been our priority to design and gain approval
for this new symbol as quickly as possible."
General Loudon also explained the thinking behind the design:
"It incorporates two of the most recognisable symbols of Scotland – the Saltire
and the Lion Rampant. In addition a Scottish Crown surmounts the Lion as is
incorporated by right as we are to be a Royal regiment. The motto on the scroll
of our new capbadge is 'Nemo me impune lacessit' – 'no one assails me with
impunity'. This is one of Scotland’s mottoes, so this badge concentrates and
represents the very essence of Scotland.
"The design work has been a collaborative effort, led by Brigadier Andrew
Mackay. It is the culmination of several months of discussion and consultation
both with those who are serving and those who have retired. The serving officers
and Regimental Sergeant Majors who have been involved in this work very quickly
came to the conclusion that this crisp, bold design passed their tests of style
and simplicity (with flying colours).
"Brigadier Mackay has been ably supported with both advice and ideas by the
staff of the Lord Lyon, who is responsible to the Sovereign for Scottish
heraldic matters. The design was submitted to Her Majesty The Queen through the
Army Dress Committee and Her Majesty has graciously given our new capbadge Her
royal assent."
For General Loudon the new design is a real step forward:
"This is a bold new design – it unifies all of Scotland’s line Infantry
regiments and it incorporates the key symbols (icons) of Scotland. One capbadge
for the Nation’s new Regiment."
All officers and soldiers, in both the Regular and TA battalions, of the new
Regiment will wear the new capbadge from Formation Day. This will be no later
than the end of March 2006.
To mark the unveiling on the evening of the 16th August an image of the new cap
badge will be projected onto Edinburgh Castle.
1SL Visits Argyll in the Northern Arabian Gulf
[Picture: Royal Navy]
The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West,
recently visited HMS Argyll whilst the ship was patrolling Iraqi oil platforms
in the Northern Arabian Gulf.
1st Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, pictured after visiting HMS Argyll which is
patrolling Iraqi oil platforms in the Northern Arabian Gulf.
Witnessing for himself first hand how Argyll was
being tasked to undertake this essential role, he was able to appreciate the
local geography in which Argyll operates. He was also able to view the array of
large oil tankers waiting for their opportunity to load from the 2 oil platforms
responsible for 80% of all Iraqi oil exports.
Touring the ship and observing how the Ship's Company are managing with
temperatures in excess of 50 degrees centigrade, Admiral West said:
"These oil terminals are the vital key to the regeneration of Iraq as this is
the main export route for Iraqi oil. Away from the media limelight, the critical
work here at sea often goes unseen. Argyll has done a terrific job in very
trying circumstances and has gained the highest respect for the way that she has
carried out her duties. The Ship's Company should be very proud indeed for a job
well done."
United States Sailor Gains Promotion while deployed on HMS Argyll
HMS Argyll CO Will Warrender with US sailor PO Jaid Dublin
[Picture: LA(PHOT) Shaun Preston]
The Commanding Officer of HMS Argyll has given a US sailor a step
up the career ladder while on deployment in the Gulf. Arizona-born Jaid Dublin
received his promotion from Commander Will Warrender while working alongside
Royal Navy sailors on the Devonport-based ship.
News of the promotion came through from the US Navy 5th Fleet Command in Bahrain
for Dublin to move up a grade from Petty Officer 3rd Class to 2nd Class. This is
the equivalent of a Leading Hand becoming a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy.
This is the first time Petty Officer Dublin has served on an operational warship
and said:
"It has been a fantastic experience serving on board a Royal Navy ship and there
is something special about the atmosphere and camaraderie I have found on board
HMS Argyll. I am honoured to receive my promotion."
The Type 23 Frigate is in the northern Arabian Gulf playing her role in
Operation Telic and has many nationalities on board to enable her to
successfully carry out her duties patrolling the Iraqi territorial waters.
PO Dublin will return to Fort Gordon, Georgia, when HMS Argyll leaves the
Arabian Gulf later this summer to return to Devonport.
http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/1568.html - HMS Campbeltown
http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/1017.html - HMS Argyll
Wee Drams E-mails, comments, queries and enlightenment from around the world
Page 2: Oatfield House - An Exchange of Emails
Page 3: Interesting Articles from the MOD (with permission)
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Page 5: The Italian Community in Campbeltown - A Memoir
Page 6: Memories of Macharioch
Page 7: By Hill and Shore - Angus Martin