Cavalry Memorial Parade

The Westminster Dragoons’ attendance at the Cavalry Memorial Parade in Hyde Park this year was a great success.  It was a superb effort and the Westminster Dragoons were present in large number, clearly the largest element in the Royal Yeomanry Regimental detachment, which again was one of the largest on parade.  We were able to pay homage to those cavalrymen who have fallen in the many theatres of operation from two world wars to the present day and to pay tribute to those who are currently deployed on active service.

Our thanks are due to Regimental Headquarters Royal Yeomanry who provided an excellent post-parade lunch at the Athenaeum Club.  The numbers planned to be catered for had to be increased due to the large number of Westminster Dragoons present: we sat 124 WDs’ and their guests down for lunch.

TA 100

The celebrations which mark the centenary of the formation of the Territorial Army have proved to be a very busy time for both the serving Squadron and Regimental Association.  Members of the Squadron were present at the official launch of the celebrations held at the National Army Museum.  Additionally the Westminster Dragoons, including 15 members of the Regimental Association led by our former Honorary Colonel, General Sir Simon Cooper GCVO, rose to the occasion when called to attend the TA 100 Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral and a parade through the City.  The serving Squadron was represented with 10 members including Corporal Guy Wilson who had the privilege of reading the collect for the day during the service.  After the parade all present were hosted by the London Livery Companies.  

The pageant held on Horse Guards proved to be something of a test with very little information available to us prior to the event.  The Westminster Dragoons came up trumps with a Guidon Party and six serving soldiers on parade.  In the background the Squadron Quartermaster’s Department administering some 30 civilian personnel who provided historic military vehicles for the pageant.  Members of the Association will be interested to know that one of our number, Mark Vickers, owns a superb Saracen armoured car, which he drove as part of the Pageant and on the march down the Mall.  There was a huge grin emitting from the driver’s hatch.

The Honorary Colonel

Major General Robert MacAfee CB has been the Honorary Colonel of the Westminster Dragoons since 2002 and now to hand over the appointment to General Andrew Ridgeway CB CBE at the Annual General Meeting.

Historic and Civic Links

The Westminster Dragoons are working hard to maintain their historic and civic links with activities occurring throughout the year in the City of Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, and with the Royal Tank Regiment.  We have also forged links with the Worshipful Company of Farmers Livery Company.  Some of our activities are detailed below.

The Royal Tank Regiment.  In 1960 Her Majesty the Queen presented the Royal Tank Regiment and the Westminster Dragoons with new Standards and Guidon in the Garden of Buckingham Palace.  On Wednesday 25 June 2008 Her Majesty again presented Standards to the Royal Tank Regiment and the Westminster Dragoons were also present on parade.  Sergeant Andy Dady and five members of the Squadron paraded as the march past line-markers and microphone orderlies.  It was a very proud occasion made all the more special when Her Majesty spoke to Sergeant Dady and Lance Corporal Rahman.

The City of Westminster.  Our links with the City of Westminster remain very strong.  The Squadron has hosted a visit to training by the Lord Mayor and provided a Guard of Honour at the Annual civic Dinner held at Lords Cricket Ground and at the Civic Service held at Westminster Abbey.  Additionally we were present on duty at the Election of the new Lord Mayor at the Council House.  We also attend the Annual Remembrance Day service held at Westminster Abbey at the invitation of the Lord Mayor’s office.  Details of how to apply for tickets are given elsewhere in this newsletter.

Hammersmith and Fulham.  Since our move to Fulham Hose we have formed a firm link with the local council, Hammersmith and Fulham.  We attend the annual Remembrance Day Parade and Service with the Guidon and a Marching Party; indeed Captain Gary Tomlin has become the Parade Marshal and is heavily involved in the organisation of the event.  We attended a reception held to honour the service and commitment of the Territorial Army within the Borough which was enjoyed by a large number of the Squadron along with a small “detachment” from the Association.  We hope to host a visit by the Mayor in the not too distant future.

The Worshipful Company of Farmers.  An affiliation has been established between the Westminster Dragoons Squadron and the Worshipful Company of Farmers.  The Master of the Livery Company has visited the Squadron on training and the Company has nominated a piece of silver which is to be presented to the Squadron to be competed for annually.  In return the Squadron has provided a staircase party for the Annual Banquet at which the principal guests have been HRH the Countess of Wessex and the Major General Commanding London District

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – 2008

October 11th (Saturday)

Regimental Association Annual General Meeting and Re-Union Dinner Fulham House

October 26th (Sunday)

Royal Armoured Corps Church Parade and Lunch

Royal Hospital Chelsea

November 5th (Wednesday)

“Dragoons Return” the Westminster Dragoons Act of Remembrance Fulham House

November 6th (Thursday)

The Opening of the Field of Remembrance

Westminster Abbey

November 9th (Sunday)

Remembrance Service

Westminster Abbey

(Tickets available from the Regimental Secretary)

REMEMBRANCE SERVICES

The Westminster Dragoons are invited to attend several Remembrance Day services and parades.

The City of Westminster The Office of the Lord Mayor of Westminster invites the Westminster Dragoons to attend the Remembrance Service at Westminster Abbey.  Admittance is by ticket only which can be bid for through the Regimental Secretary.

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Hammersmith and Fulham is now our local Borough.  They hold a Parade and Service at which our Guidon is paraded.  Attendance is by arrangement through the Regimental Secretary.