The Parachute Regimental Association
"What manner of men are these who wear the red beret?
They are firstly, all volunteers and are then toughened by hard physical training. As a result they have that infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness which comes from physical well being. They have jumped from the air and by doing so have conquered fear.
Their duty lies in the van of battle; they are proud of their honour and have never failed in any task. They have the highest standards in all things whether it be skills in battle or smartness in execution of all peacetime duties.
They have shown themselves to be as tenacious and determined in defence as they are courageous in attack. They are in fact, men apart.
Every Man an Emperor."
Field Marshall the Viscount Montgomery of Alamain.
The Emblem of the airborne forces is Bellerophon mounted on the winged horse Pegasus. The first recorded instance of an airborne warrior, his exploits are recounted in Greek Mythology, where he is chiefly famous for slaying the fire-breathing monster Chimaera. Mounted on Pegasus, with spear in hand, Bellerophon rode into the air, swooped down upon the monster and destroyed it.
This emblem was chosen for the British Airborne Forces by the late Lieutenant General Sir Frederick("Boy") Browning GCVO, KBE, CB, DSO, DL, when he was appointed to raise Airborne Forces in 1941. The embelm was designed in May,1942, by Major Edward Seago, to be worn on the arms of all Airborne soldiers.
In 1946 a beautiful statuette, the work of the sculptress, Mrs. A.R.Oxenford, was accepted by the Royal Academy. It was commisioned by the trustees of the Airborne Forces Security Fund and presented by them to the museum of the Airborne Forces in Aldershot on the 1st October 1968.
The Airborne Prayer
May the defence of the most high be above and beneath, around and within us, in our going out and our coming in, in our rising up and in our going down, all our days and all our nights, unitl the dawn when the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings for the peoples of the world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Regimental Quick March - The Ride of the Valkyries
Regimental Slow March - Pomp and Circumstance No 4
Regimental Motto - Untrinque Paratus (Ready for Anything)
Airborne Motto - Ad Unum Omnes (All for one, one for all)
"Whenever the maroon beret is seen on the battlefield, it at once inspires confidence, for its wearers are known to be good me and true"
Field Marshall Lord Montgomery
The Constitution Objective is:
To promote the efficiency of the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces by fostering espirit de corps and maintaining contact between past and present members thereof. To relieve either generally or individually persons who are serving or who have served in The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces or the dependents of such persons who are in conditions of need hardship or distress.
The Past
The Parachute Regimental Association was formed at the end of WW2 for the purpose of furthering the interests of the Parachute Regiment and to organise functions and activities to enable members to continue associations formed during their service with the Regiment and Airborne Forces.
Membership of the Association is open to all ranks past and present of the Parachute Regiment, regular and TA, including members of other regiments who have served or are serving a tour with the Parachute Regiment. In addition all others who have served or are serving with a British Airborne Formation or Unit are eligible for membership.
The Present
The Association’s membership covers all age groups and many cap badges. There are currently 114 Association branches nation wide including Northern Ireland. There may be one in your home town or nearby, membership of a branch is optional. but is encouraged. All new members are advised to join their local branch and provide with a map of the meeting place. Branch meetings are generally held monthly to organise social functions, visits, reunions, pilgrimages, battlefield tours and of course to catch up on the latest Regimental news and gossip over a drink or two. If you are a member of the association and do not belong to a branch Please contact the office in Colchester at the address below for your local branch information.
All of the branches are keen to recruit those who have recently left the service. They also welcome visits from serving soldiers. They are particularly keen to hear about your experiences in today’s Army.
The Future
Our wide network of branches and extensive membership provides opportunities for you to make contacts which may ease your move to civilian life and help you gain employment. Links to other ex airborne sites will soon be available and any ex airborne site that would like to be included on this page are advised to contact the Secretary at the address below. The Association in partnership with the Airborne Forces Security Fund and other service charities and ex-service organisations is able to provide welfare support and advice to those in need or distress. Most people will be aware of the move from Aldershot to Colchester of the Regimental Headquarters is now complete and the Secretary of the PRA and his assistant are now running the Association at the Colchester RHQ . The current fee for life membership is £7.50 and £5.00 for OAP's Further details are available from our office at the following address:
The Parachute Regimental Association
Regimental Headquarters
The Parachute Regiment
Flagstaff House
Napier Road
COLCHESTER
Essex CO2 7SW
Click here for a downloadable Membership Application Form.
Click here for The Assault Glider Trust links page to other interesting associated sites.
The Airborne shop and The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum remains in Aldershot.
To view future plans on the move of the museum click on this link.Airborne Assault Duxford.
For additional information, Click the links below to the:
MoD Army website
http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/ The Veterans Agency
www.servicepals.com
www.192.com
www.friendsreunited.co.uk Find a friend and chat room facilities
www.forcesreunited.org.uk Find a friend and chat room facilities
For those conducting research http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/paras/ provides details or Parachute Regiment War Dead Buried in France.
For those conducting research on the 6th Airborne Division - Normandy http://www.ornebridgehead.org/frames.htm is an excellent site to visit
Click the image for your copy of the Pegasus Journal
Disclaimer:
This site will contain links to third party Websites where relevant, but The Parachute Regiment or Regimental Association accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link exists and listing should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind.
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