THIRD FORMATION COMMITTEE - REPORT

3 October 2005 at Catterick


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FORMATION COMMITTEE-THIRD REPORT

A further report on the Formation Committee (FC) deliberations from their third meeting held at 1 KINGS, Bourlon Barracks, Catterick on 3 October 2005. As a headline the FC meetings have become much more cordial as the major items of contention have been settled and as it has become clear there is no way back.

The title of the regiment has been changed to The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (King’s, Lancashire and Border) subject to final endorsement by HM The Queen. As this is still awaited you are asked not to publicise the change until RHQ confirm this to you. See attached note on this subject. The title ‘Duke of Lancaster’s’ will be worn on slides etc. The abbreviation LANCS is under review.

The following notes cover the main issues as they arose at the meeting:

·         The new Colonel Commandant wef Nov 05 is Lt Gen Nick Houghton (late Green Howards).

·         The Colonel of the new regiment will be announced as soon as it has been approved. He will assume the appointment on 1 Jul 06 but will be involved in transition work from Jan 06.

·         Col Mike Griffiths is to appoint a Deputy Colonel of the Regiment (KORBR) to replace himself on 1 Jul 06. Col Griffiths will also appoint two members as Councillors & Trustees of the new Regtl Council.

·         The Honorary Colonel of the 4th TA Bn is still to be confirmed.

·         It is expected that new Colours will be available by 2009 for all three bns; 1st, 2nd and 4th.

·         A new Collect has been agreed, the KORBR Grace has been adopted, the QLR Hymn has also been adopted.

·         Regimental officer recruiting matters will be centralised and handled from Liverpool (RHQ KINGS) wef 1 Jan 06.

·         The branding and marketing of the new regt is in hand under the oversight of CO LCV (4th Bn to be).  The KDRT, RRTs and AYTs will be drawn together under CO LCV to better provide a single corporate image and launch of the new identity.

·         TA structure: more than likely the 4th Bn will have two KINGS coys in Liverpool and Manchester; one KORBR coy in Workington with pl bases in Carlisle and Barrow (extra pl in Lancaster); QLR coy in Blackburn and RHQ with HQ Coy in Preston.  Regular support to the 4th Bn is not yet confirmed.

·         Regular bn initial locations:  1st Bn will be in Osnabruck; 2nd Bn in Catterick.

·         RHQ Review is still under way but is likely to see a subsidiary HQ at Carlisle. There is no intention to give up the building.

·         Dress: COR represented the three regts at the Army Dress Committee review of the proposed dress regulations. Nearly all was approved without question. Most of the details were given out with the last report. The cap badge (red rose surrounded by a Fontenoy wreath charged with a crown) is confirmed, it will be on a khaki beret with red diamond.  Three items remain outstanding and will be discussed further – small button design (for headdress and Mess waistcoat), Officers Mess Dress and the Tactical Recognition Flash (TRF). The TRF will be redesigned, probably to include the Glider. The official Hatter will be Herbert Johnson.

·         A new regimental Charity Scheme will be adopted from 1 July 2006.  It is probable that all ranks will have to resubmit their ‘Days Pay’ proformas. The new policy will be for one-days-pay only for all ranks. Officers will separately pay into a Wedding Gift Fund. 

·         COR is writing to all our civic ‘Freedom’ towns asking them to continue, similarly with our affiliated units.

·         A ‘Regimental Medal’ for recognition of excellence and outstanding work to the Regiment will be adopted.

·         To Be Confirmed:  regimental signage and flags; music matters including Drums accoutrements; Regimental Days; movement of Chattels; Regimental Council Instructions; Association constitution; future status of Chapel and Museum Trusts; name of the Journal (please offer ideas).

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