AMALGAMATION
VESTING DAY PARADE - THE BLUES 82 ROYALS
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DETMOLD
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31st MARCH 1969
Colonel Gerald first read out the Loyal Address and The Queen's reply, after which he said “We must remember those words." “Now, Gentlemen of The Blues and Royals.
LOYAL ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN FROM FIELD MARSHAL SIR GERALD TEMPLER, K.G., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., K.B.E., D.S.O., D.C.L., COLONEL OF THE BLUES AND ROYALS
a new Regiment “On this day, which marks the formation of The Blues and Royals, of the Royal Horse Guards in Your Majesty’s Household Cavalry, formed by the amalgamation Officers, Warrant Officers, (The Blues) and The Royal Dragoons (ist Dragoons), we, the offer our Loyal Greetings to Non-Commissioned Officers and Troopers of The Blues and Royals shall continue to bear true Your Majesty, our Colonel-in-Chief, assuring your Majesty that we example of the two ancient allegiance and strive faithfully to uphold the honour and high
regiments from which we are formed.”
i don’t think that a speech is really necessary this morning because we all know what it's about—and what we‘re at, but there are one or two things i must
say.
Up till the day before yesterday, we were two proud, and individual Regiments, each with three centuries of loyal, and distinguished service to our Sovereign, and to our country. We now enter in to another phrase of our being—as The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), The late Blues are immensely proud to wear the eagle, and the Dettingen black of The Royals. And I know the late Royals are equally proud, to wear the embellishment of The Blues.
THE PARADE
history and traditions of these two famous Regiments. future.“ United you may go forward with confidence into the
I hope you noticed how I addressed you as “Gentlemen—of The Blues and Royals’. That is an old fashioned form of address in the British Army, which the officers and men of both our Regiments have always observed. Long may it continue. For me, it is a great honour to have been appointed your Colonel, and it is an especial satisfaction to me that, with the approval of Her Majesty, General Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick is the Deputy Colonel. Between us,
I can assure you all, we will do our best for the wellI most certainly want to congratulate you on a first-class parade this morning from every point of view, and as an old soldier I realize very well the difficulties entailed because the two component parts have been together for so short a time. Well done—all of you, and great credit, indeed, is due to all those primarily responsible.
REPLY BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
Non-Commissioned Officers and “I send my sincere thanks to all Officers, Warrant Officers, ' greetings. Troopers of The Blues and Royals for their message of loyal of ation amalgam the by formed today in welcoming you all as members of the new Regiment I know that you will be faithful to the The Royal Horse Guards and The Royal Dragoons,
It is indeed a privilege for us all to form part of the Household Troops, and that honour carries with it corresponding responsibilities, as you all well realise.
being of the of you.
Regiment—as
I
am
quite
aware
will
all
I think it is significant that the day after tomorrow, at the Horse Guards in Whitehall—Her Majesty The Queen will inspect The Queen’s Life Guard—the first time this has ever happened in the life-time of any Sovereign— and that on that day the guard provided by the Regiment will consist both of former Blues and former Royals. I think you will agree—a great portent for the future. l have not the slightest doubt that our new Regiment will not only maintain the traditions of the past, but will
set the highest standard of loyalty and military efficiency in the future. Gentlemen of The Blues and Royals—it is Up to us to achieve that—and l have no doubt that you—the serving members—will ensure it.”