Preface
By Colonel S H Cowen, The Blues and Royals Commander Household Cavalry
W
hilst uncertainty remains on the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, and the impact of the age of austerity on the Defence Budget, the direction has been to continue delivering the required military capability. Anyone reading this journal and the operational honours and awards for HERRICK 11 would note that the Household Cavalry continue to deliver to a standard that reflects and enhances the rich heritage of our 350 years of service. The Commanding Officers will illustrate the challenges and achievements of the regiments over the year but I would like to highlight two instances that reflect the professionalism and standing of the Household Cavalry across the wider army. HCR, with D Squadron deploying to Afghanistan, was tasked with delivering A Squadron at high readiness to support the Small Scale Contingency Battle Group, found from a Germany based Brigade. The squadron, having returned from operations three months earlier, trained and met the readiness state with quiet understated efficiency, earning the respect and recognition of a Brigade and Division that it had not previously worked with. Second, the Musical Ride was requested to perform at the Sultan of Oman’s 40th Accession celebrations at his Horse and Camel Fair. This was the second year in succession that the Musical Ride has toured at the request of, and underwritten by, another nation; highlighting it as a benchmark for ceremonial troops, also neatly illustrating its relevance to Defence Diplomacy. The liaison and training that HCMR conducts with other ceremonial regiments provides useful contact at a time of wider regional instability. Having had the good fortune to serve in Helmand whilst HCR were there, I was struck by the care and support that those serving receive from the wider Household Cavalry family. The Operational Casualty Fund has been re-energised in the last twelve months and has built up a significant fund that will provide real comfort and support to casualties and their families into the future. I would like to record our thanks to those who have set-up initiatives and given so freely of their time and energy to make events happen and raise significant funds, especially Al Galloway as the Chief Executive of the fund who has worked tirelessly to energise and co-ordinate the fund’s great work. The requirement will sadly
remain into the future and we will be very grateful for the foresight and industry of those who are making it happen now. The Household C a v a l r y should also be grateful for the hard work that has been undertaken to develop the Museums. People tend to focus on the London Museum, which is now a well visited London venue. It will provide valuable income for all our funds when the loans are settled. However the Museum at Windsor is equally important as it holds the majority of our collection and archives. John Lloyd and his team of Friends and Volunteers work tirelessly to maintain and improve the collection, and provide a wonderful educational experience for school groups. The collection and archive will be in great demand during the bi-centenary of Waterloo and centenaries of many 1st World War battles as they are some of the most comprehensive in the country. If future generations of the Household Cavalry are to be blessed with such a rich legacy, action needs to be taken in two fields. First, preservation of the current collection is urgently required and anyone who can assist in restoration and maintenance should contact the Windsor Museum. Also the collection is only as good as the exhibits that are donated. As we have been deployed on every major campaign since the 2nd World War less Korea, there should be a wealth of operational records and maps, diaries and memorabilia. Sadly ours are not as comprehensive as we could hope for and I would ask all who read this to consider what you can offer to the collection. Whilst the Household Cavalry has survived the initial outcomes of SDSR relatively unscathed, there is no room for complacency. Sadly the post of Commander Household Cavalry has been lost but is lifed for my tenure, and there are other potential cuts. The continued squeeze on budgets affects every facet of regimental life from accommodation to equipment and
training. I would illustrate two wider impacts that go to the very heart of our regiments. Recruiting has been cut considerably as the army draws down. We have benefitted from robust manning over the last four years so the cuts will create a challenge. However the Recruiting Team and those at ERE in the Training Organisation, who look after our trainees, are outstanding so the quality of recruits remain high. Second, a stringent review of pay and conditions and potential redundancy alongside high operational tempo undermines retention. A career in the Household Cavalry is still very special, offering challenge and adventure. And, whilst the spiritual reward remains high, we need to ensure that individuals feel valued and can provide for the future and their families. I would like to pay tribute to Col Toby Browne who, as Commander, has twice guided and ensured our future and now retires to become the Crown Equerry. Also to Lt Col Shamus Olivier who has stood down after 15 dedicated years as Regimental Adjutant, having never ridden on a Birthday Parade whilst serving, he set the officers’ record in retirement! Looking forward, the forecast is diverse, busy and fun. The Commanding Officers will explain the plans for the regiments for the coming year, preparing for BATUS and another HERRICK tour, a Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics; these will be both demanding and rewarding. In the next Journal, plans for the Standards Parade will be announced. This will allow reflection on a decade of intense operations and commitment but one that resonates with many of the preceding 34 that are being celebrated in our 350th Anniversaries.
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