December 2008
31 December 2008 - YORKSHIRE REGIMENT SOLDIERS HONOURED. Sergeant Steven Crighton (48) from Harrogate and Colour Sergeant Paul Simpson (44) originally from Scarborough, are key players in the household of General Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff. Both have been awarded an MBE for their long and loyal service to the General who himself becomes a Knight Grand Cross in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
Sergeant Crighton has worked in the Dannatt household for over 19 years as first House Corporal and then House Sergeant. Colour Sergeant Paul Simpson, who now lives in Newcastle, has been Richard Dannatt's principal driver and general assistant for much of the past 19 years. Colour Sergeant Simpson has just taken up a post at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick. He joined the Army 24 years ago after serving two years in the Territorial Army.
"We all retire from the Army in 2009, so sadly the team will now break up, but I am delighted that they both have been given these tremendous awards. I am really proud of them both and most grateful for their loyal service to The Queen, to the Army and to myself."
SOUTH YORKSHIRE RECRUITER former Sergeant Shane Jones (40) from Bramley, Rotherham is made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) not only helping hundreds of South Yorkshire young people into a career in the Armed Forces, but also helping to raise thousands of pounds for local charities.
Sergeant Jones retired this year from the Armed Forces Careers Office in Sheffield. He worked alongside several civilian training providers and the successful courses which were started four years ago, achieved the runner up award in last year's Barnsley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. He helped organised and raise thousands of pounds for local charities including South Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the local hospices in Barnsley and Doncaster, the Sheffield Cardiac and Children's Hospital units and an ex-Serviceman's retirement home (Broughton House) in Salford.
Shane, a member of the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment served 22 years in the Army and joined the Armed Forces Careers Office in Sheffield in October 2003.
25 December 2008 - REGIMENT SPENDS CHRISTMAS ON DUTY. The Regiment would like to wish you our readership, a warm and heart felt greeting during this festive period. Today, soldiers of the
1st Battalion are carrying out their duties in
Iraq (Operation TELIC) and in
Kosovo (Operation OCULUS). Volunteer soldiers from the
4th Battalion are on duty in
Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK). In addition, soldiers from the
2nd Battalion and
3rd Battalion have deployed in support of the 1st Battalion and individual soldiers from across the Regiment are soldiering-on across the world. We think of them and wish them a safe and return in the new year.
24 December 2008 - NEW APPOINTMENT FOR 1ST BATTALION HONORARY COLONEL. Major-General G. J. Binns, CBE, DSO, MC (Late Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire), currently General Officer Commanding 1st (UK) Armoured Division, to be Commandant Joint Service Command and Staff College, in August 2009. [
The Times, 24th Dec 2008].
19 December 2008 - HUMBERSIDE POLICE FORCE BAND RAISE WELFARE FUNDS. Humberside Police Force Band performed two Christmas concerts in support of the Regiment. The band held the concerts in Hull and all the funds raised during the two performances were donated by the Musical Director to The Regimental Welfare Fund. Lieutenant Colonel David Rhodes TD received the monies on behalf of the Regiment and gave the Band a regimental presentation piece in thanks for their continued support.
15 December 2008 - OLD REGIMENTAL WEB PAGES FROZEN. The old regimental web pages have now been frozen in preparation for the transfer to this website. The old pages will be retained on the Army's old website until 9th January 2009 when they will be removed from view. Our old pages have already been copied to our archives and can be viewed on the
Regimental ArmyNET pages.
12 December 2008 - COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT VISITS THE SECOND BATTALION [2 YORKS]. Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Houghton returned to Weeton Barracks in his role of Colonel of the Regiment to present awards to the Second Battlion. At a ceremony that took place in the Officers' Mess,
General Houghton presented a series of awards to thirteen members of the Battalion.
Long Service & Good Conduct medals were presented to: Acting WO2 Flynn; Sergeant Bland; Corporal Welsh; Lance Corporals Bradbury (RLC) and Dorraine, for at least 15 years of unblemished service. Sergeant Lynas and Private Ravouou were presented with their Mentioned in Dispatches certificates and Sergeant Cain, Corporal Arlott, Lance Corporal Hendy and Private McCabe were presented with their Joint Commanders Commendation certificates for their individual efforts whilst on Operation HERRICK earlier this year.
Lieutenant General Houghton's visit also coincided with the handover of command of the Battalion from Lieutenant Colonel Simon Downey MBE to Lieutenant Colonel David Colthup.
All monies raised from the sale of Calendars will go to the Regimental Charities (The Charitable Trust - Charity Number 1114624 and The Benevolent Trust - Charity Number 1114654). These Trust funds are used for the benefit of former soldiers of the Regiment and those in need of additional support by the Regiment. More information about the work of these charities can be found in the Regimental Journal or by contacting The Regimental Secretary.
8 December 2008 - NEW REGIMENTAL PRESENTATION PIECES. The Regiment has taken delivery of new presentation pieces. The pieces come in three styles (and prices) and can be purchased via the Regimental PRI in York.
5 December 2008 - THE REGIMENTAL HANDBOOK RELEASED. The first edition of the Regimental Handbook as now been approved for distribution. Copies will be sent out to all Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (at 'E' or within Battalions) after the Christmas holiday period (to avoid the seasonal postal surge). Should you not receive a copy by mid-January, contact RHQ. Should you lose your copy or wish to read the handbook online, you can find it on the
Regiment's Army NET pages in it's complete form or in individual chapters.
1 December 2008 - SECOND BATTALION SOLDIERS RETURN FROM FALKLANDS [2 YORKS]. After a busy year which started in Afghanistan, 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) have just returned to their base in Blackpool from a six-week deployment to the Falkland Islands. Read their story here.
