1st Battalion
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Colchester
1986 to 1989
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1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Colchester 1986 to 1989 |
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All photographs are the property of RHQ Argylls and may not be reproduced or copied without permission from RHQ Argylls.
The arrival in Roman Barracks, Colchester during January 1986 held several surprises for the battalion. Firstly, the camp itself was a well laid out, Poulson constructed barracks, which really says it all. It looked good from a distance but closer examination reveals ageing and deterioration ahead of schedule. The result was that the accommodation either leaked or was being rewired/replumbed or otherwise refurbished. The second major surprise was the announcement that the Battalion was to deploy to Northern Ireland on OP CARA CARA (who invented that name?). This operation involved the deployment of the Companies around the province with the aim of preventing attacks on RUC stations in their TAOR. Once the battalion was complete in Colchester and the take-over from 1 Staffords complete, Northern Ireland training started with in-barrack training. Between the 9th to 14th February all officers and SNCO’s attended a Commander’s Cadre, St Martin’s Plain Folkestone. 28th Feb to 11th March the battalion did the Northern Ireland training package at Lydd-Hythe. Lydd-Hythe went well and few forgot the sight of the range hut floor covered in blood; witness to the imaginative background training run by the MO instructing us how to insert drips into each others arms. It must be said that the officers were the most cowardly in stepping forward as volunteers either with the needle or as the victim. There followed a welcome week of leave and an immediate move to Stanford for the rural phase of training between 2nd and 7th of April. This was a well run package and the Companies ironed out the remaining problems. 12th April the battalion began moving to Northern Ireland to begin taking over from 1 KOSB.
On return from Northern Ireland the battalion had a period of block leave from 5th to 28th July. This was followed by a cadre period during August and early September, with the remainder of September and October spent on training for the Falklands tour. 11th to 23rd October was pre Falklands leave, with the advance party flying out on the 24th from Brize Norton. The main body of the battalion flew out at the beginning of November.
Early March 1987 the battalion moved back to Roman Barracks, with the Falklands Tour finished, the Battalion found itself in the whirl of activity that was normal for 19 Inf Bde. The shock of moving from the relative simplicity of life in Northern Ireland and the South Atlantic to the complexity of conflicting demands from four masters (BAOR, UKLF, District and Brigade) took about a month to overcome. During March after the battalion had returned from block leave, the battalion finally began to start to get to grips with its conversion to a Saxon battalion and its BAOR reinforcement role. During April the Pipes and Drums and Military Band toured Australia.
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The Saxon 4x4 armoured personnel carrier was developed as a private venture and, wherever possible, uses standard commercial components. The first prototype was completed in 1975 and the first production models in 1976. By early 1995 well over 700 had been built. Standard equipment includes power-assisted steering. Optional equipment includes firing ports/vision devices, air conditioning , barricade remover , searchlight , grenade launchers and run-flat tyres. Armament includes a 7.62mm Machine Gun. 'A' Company was responsible for running EDSAAM between13-17 May. The organisation involved considerably more than 1 Coy, about 200 all ranks in total — but everybody in the Coy was involved throughout. The event went off well and all ranks were commended by many of the competitors and by the GOC. On the 30th May a very successful Regimental Reunion was held at Colchester. The Battalion Exercise at Otterburn and Catterick took place from 7th-19th June. It was split into 3 packages: NBC and field firing, Saxon training (at Catterick) and defence. The whole package was damp, hard work and useful. In particular, the NBC phase was helpful in demonstrating to all ranks that they can live and work at NBC Black. It isn't a particularly enjoyable experience for 9 hours at a time, but can be managed. The Catterick phase, where the battalion finally got 'hands on' experience of Saxon was of benefit too. Within a fortnight of the exercise ending (a fortnight which included packing and exercising for Spearhead duty, a GOC's visit and a three day display to 7,000 school children) the Battalion had deployed on a further exercise on the South Coast in preparation for possible duty in Northern Ireland as the Spearhead Battalion. From 28th June to 3rd August the Battalion was on Spearhead. Next, after leave in August, came a three week Brigade Exercise (Ex “Panthers Cub”) in September on Salisbury Plain and Sennybridge followed by a further three weeks in October for all the officers and about 120 others in Germany as umpires for a Divisional exercise (Ex “Keystone”).
During September command of the Battalion changed, Lt Col M. R. McVittie took over from Lt Col G. A. Neilson and WO1 Ian Hunter took over as RSM from WO1 Alastair Logie. November proved to be a cluttered month. In consecutive weeks the Battalion took part: with neither distinction nor disgrace in the Brigade Section Competition, with enthusiasm and respirators in a combined Battle Group Trainer and Army MBC Trial at Bovington, with frustration in the aborted State Visit by the President of Italy (which coincided with the Battalion Skill at Arms meeting) and finally with vigour in a thoroughly worthwhile Battalion tactical exercise in Norfolk. Thereafter any hopes of a wind-down to Christmas were dispelled by the Battalion being placed on standby for operations until 28th December. But leave was not stopped and the usual pre-Christmas junketing went ahead.
1988
The New Year started well with specialist cadres and individual training, preparations for London Public Duties and A Company's exercise in Oman. Seven days before the advance party left for Oman in February 1988, the Commanding Officer announced that the Omani Government, for unspecified political reasons, had cancelled the exercise. There then followed a tense 24 hours before a second announcement revealed that HQ British Forces Belize had agreed to take the Company for a 6 week exercise. The numbers were different. Desert Training Manuals were disposed of and Jungle Manuals sought as replacements. Within 5 days Capt Jim Bain and 2Lt Duncan Hall (loaned back from Glencorse) were on their way as an advance and recce party. The main body deployed on 15 and 16 Feb by Hercules and VC 10 following a rapid issue of Jungle Survival Equipment. All arrived safely with all kit, less a box of SUSAT (SA80 Sights) which were eventually found at RAF Lyneham. A missing pallet of Ammunition was traced to the Patrol Platoon of 3 Para and duly returned. The Coy had attached to it several members of Support Company, Pte McCallum the new Coy Piper and Cpl Harris from 2 RGJ came as jungle warfare instructor for the whole exercise. Capt McNaughton, also a Jungle instructor, came along for a fortnight to assist us with the Jungle Training which was full and varied.
Belize
23 Feb the battalion Public Duties detachment moved to D lines in Pirbright to complete preparation for the 1st Guard. 29th February the 1st Guard mounted in London. During April the Support Company (plus) ran the 17th cadet leadership course at Stanford for 2 weeks. In April B Coy took part in Ex “Eagle Tormentor” on Salisbury Plain with Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. 11-15 May for the second year running A Coy ran EDSAAM, involving all ranks for the full period in tentage erection and striking, marshalling and many other duties. The meeting was a success and the Company was fully congratulated on an even better job than last year. 21 May another successful Regimental Reunion was held at Roman Bks, Colchester.
Public Duties
SIMEX 88 4-17 June.
Simex was a 10 day battle camp exercise where every man, weapon and vehicle was fitted with a simulator, it was A 2-sided exercise against 3 RGJ, using a full range of laser weapon effects simulators, it proved for most participants to be the most exciting and realistic exercise ever. The result was an improvement of all skills by all ranks, from basic field craft, to change of command procedures. There were examples of excellent low level initiative from NCOs and Pte soldiers. Of note was Pte Smith, who in the confusion of a night assault on our defensive position, joined the end of a line of an assaulting enemy section. When he got a suitable opportunity he ambushed and took out the section. All phases of war were practised and it was the most realistic exercise the Company has ever taken part in. The climax was an attack on Greenlands Village in front of a large number of VIPs and television cameras. The attack was entirely unrehearsed, and involved much 'Hot-planning'. The company lost 5 vehicles, and their sections on the start line to helarm and enemy recce, which meant D Coy had to do our attack the company was then re-constituted with the Sapper Troop and put in phase 3 assault, previously D Coy's task.
29 June to 8 Aug Ex “Pond Jump West”, battalion was at Wainwright, Alberta. The last six months in Colchester were as enjoyable and busy as ever and 1 A&SH must have done well because some three weeks later on arrival in Canada we were greeted by an officer from another regiment who commented that he'd heard that 1 A&SH was the best Battalion in the Army. High praise indeed. Canada was certainly one of the best opportunities the Battalion has had to train at platoon and company level. The training area was extensive and varied and companies undertook challenging dry field training in conjunction with live firing. The beauty of the Jasper National Park in the Rocky Mountains only enhanced the adventure training package which was exciting, character building and probably most importantly great fun. All members of the Battalion took R+R in various locations in Canada and enjoyed themselves immensely. The exercise concluded with a platoon competition.
Canada
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September and October saw the battalion carrying out the Spearhead commitment, taking part in a brigade FTX, guarding a temporary prison and starting mechanised conversion training. It says a great deal for the standards which existed in the Battalion that it more than held its own on Ex “Nightjar”, Brigade Platoon Competition with no officer platoon commanders and no company 2ICs. Indeed two platoons were commanded by Corporals. 9-18 Oct the battalion took part in Ex “Panther’s Teeth”, 19 Inf Brig Ex in defence, attack and NBC on Salisbury Plain. November WO1 John McGuire took over as RSM from WO1 Ian Hunter. 3-10 November Ex “Phantom Bugle”. During this period both the Pipes and Drums and the Regimental Band proved to be amongst the battalion’s best ambassadors, the Pipes and Drums toured the Caribbean and the Regimental Band were well known locally for being outstanding entertainers. The gym staff were awarded the Stirling Cup for their contribution to the local community. The main recce party visited Minden in October and a party of the German press paid the battalion a visit in Colchester in December.
The tour in Colchester was a happy, busy and varied one. 1 A & SH were a highly trained, well disciplined and happy Battalion reflecting the highest traditions of the Regiment. The quality of life in the Battalion for a young man was excellent being challenging, exciting and offering tremendous variety. Inevitably there was been a great deal of separation which the families suffered with fortitude over the period. During February 1989 the battalion moved to Minden to takeover/handover from/to 3 Royal Anglian.
Colchester 1986 - 1989 Pictures
Updated: 29 January 2015