Five Paviors and five members of the Builders Merchants were
invited to witness the 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales’s
Royal Regiment (The TA Tigers) training weekend in Copehill
Down Village, Salisbury Plain on 6th November 04.
The Paviors defensive shield line up
It was a bitterly cold day but the reception by the Commanding
Officer, Lt Col Guthrie and his staff, was most warm and attentive.
We were shown the Regiment training in urban riot and
mob control as a precursor to some of them being sent to Iraq
on duty roster in early 2005.
Our lunch was an old army favourite “Spag” and very welcome
indeed with the accompanying “brew-up”. The group of young
soldiers displayed their skills and rapid learning ability.
Master John Mills, Col Guthrie & Master Martin Earle (Builders Merchants)
The TA Tigers are in good heart, as
witnessed by us, and do sterling work
not just as a reserve to the full-time
army but increasingly are used in the
front line. A member of the 1st Battalion
of the Regiment recently won a VC
for duties in Iraq!
Our best wishes go with them on their
tours of duty overseas, and thanks for a
wonderful day.
Billy McCoubrey