Preface
By Colonel S H Cowen, The Blues and Royals Commander Household Cavalry
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ast year I described the uncertainty that faced defence with the Strategic Defence and Security Review, whilst still delivering on operations and ceremonial. In 2012, none of the uncertainty has been removed and, as I write, we await the recommendations of Lieutenant General Carter’s Future Force 2020 Review, which will have an impact on the Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps, and the implications of a second phase of redundancy. At the same time, this Journal bears testament to the successes and demands placed on our two Regiments for the Royal Wedding, recuperations from two tours of Afghanistan and preparations for the Diamond Jubilee and another HERRICK deployment. Whilst both Commanding Officers act as jugglers to HQ Army’s “Cirque de Soleil” of commitments, the Journal also illustrates the broader pastoral activities that the wider Household Cavalry “family” has been involved in from sport to adventure training and care for serving and retired members of the Regiments. It also includes the wonderful recollections of previous generations and provides a reminder to those serving currently that the tempo and challenges they are meeting are not new, and the heritage and reputation that they have inherited has been hard earned and remains highly respected in both the Army and wider society. These recollections also illustrates that an army career and regimental life is challenging and rewarding when not recovering from, preparing for and deploying on another operational tour whilst maintaining readiness for contingent operations – as some of us will recall in BAOR. As we know that HERRICK 18 is currently the last planned operational commitment, it is something that those serving need to understand and prepare for after a period of almost 20 years of being fully committed to the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. It is also 20 years since the union of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals to deliver the Household Cavalry Regiment and Mounted Regiment. The precedent was not new as we have always operated closely and provided composite regiments on operations since the 19th century. I have therefore asked the Commanding Officers, Associations, Operational Casualty Fund and the Museum Trust to look at how we deliver pastoral support across the wider Household Cavalry family through a Household Cavalry
Foundation. This in no way undermines the individual identities or the property of the Regiments but seeks to make us consistent and efficient in the way we provide care for our serving and retired soldiers, maintain the fabric and property of the Regiments, and the way we communicate both internally within the regimental family and externally to a wider public. The reasons for this evolution are twofold; first is that modern communications and media allow us to communicate more widely and quickly and we need to harness this opportunity to do this efficiently, and to ensure that the support we provide is done swiftly and effectively. The second is that the appointment of Commander Household Cavalry was taken as a savings measure in 2010 and lifed for my tenure; the Army, with the current drawdown in size, has now taken this saving early and I have been directed to increase my responsibilities as Colonel Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps. This appointment has been distilled from the duties of Director Royal Armoured Corps, and takes on the responsibilities of the Head of Arm, an appointment that has reduced from Major General to Colonel since the Union. The appointment of Silver Stick in Waiting is retained and we are considering how the responsibilities of Commander Household Cavalry are discharged in the future. Whilst there is a military age of austerity and many uncertainties in the current army, there is much to commend regimental life, which is eloquently described in this Journal. The Regiment at Windsor is training for HERRICK 18, whilst preparing for future contingency with the re-established Lead Airborne Task Force. The Mounted Regiment is also extremely busy and demonstrating its wide utility from State Ceremonial for the Diamond Jubilee to support for Op OLYMPICS and UK resilience in London. Our wide and very efficient spectrum of capabilities has allowed the Household Cavalry to stake a strong claim for a place in the Future Army of 2020, which will be announced this summer. The planned redundancy programme will cause us pain but I believe the Foundation will improve our support to those affected. Whilst there are some difficult times to navigate and ride through, there are some important events to be planned for on the horizon. First is the Standards Parade, which I had hoped to coincide with the regiment’s return from HERRICK 18 in Autumn 2013. However this is not possible so
it is now planned for May 2014. This runs into the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and many of our Battle Honours. Also the 200th Anniversary of Waterloo is being planned and, given its importance in the history of the Household Cavalry, will be fully celebrated in 2015. Whilst we are busy delivering the present and planning to celebrate our past, I am always hugely impressed and indebted to those who have done so much to fundraise to ensure the wider support to the Household Cavalry. The Operational Casualties Fund has established resources and the network of support to meet our current and future needs. The fund has raised over £1.2 million and hopes to meet its fundraising target in 2012. At the same time the Fund has also provided significant support to our casualties and their families. The Museums, both in London and Windsor, are vibrant, well supported and visited. Their financial position is more assured and whilst the Olympics will cause the London Museum to close, we continue to ensure that the bank loan is drawn down as swiftly as possible. Presently it has a delightful and surprising display of those Household Cavalrymen who have competed in the Olympics. I hope this Journal therefore describes the challenges of our current times, the plans for the future and reflections and recognition of our past. It underpins our heritage and illustrates why the current regiments are widely recognised and respected. We owe a great debt of thanks to the Regimental Adjutant in editing it. I hope you enjoy it and look forward to seeing everyone over the coming year.
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