Private Robert Foster was one of the nine soldiers of 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment who lost their lives in the service of their country during the Battalion's previous tour in Afghanistan in 2007.

Since then his family has been trying to have Robert's name engraved on the War Memorial in his home town of Harlow.

Both the local branch of The Royal British Legion and Harlow Council, however, have said that this cannot be done - that the Memorial Cross has to be restricted to those who died in WW1 & WW2. This is despite the fact that the War Memorials Act allows a council to add names to a war memorial whether it owns it or not. The name of Pte Aaron McClure, a fellow Viking who was killed alongside Pte Foster, has been inscribed on the War Memorial in his home town of Ipswich and many other towns have been proud to honour their boys in a similar way.

Harlow Council have come up with an alternative proposal and now intend to build a low curved wall to the back of the railed area around the Cross, as a memorial to all of those with a strong connection to Harlow, who have given their lives in service in conflicts since 1945. Brass plaques would be attached to the wall, setting out the name and regiment of the deceased, the date of death, and the conflict in which they were serving. This is an idea taken from the Basra Memorial Wall (see below) which has recently been repatriated from Iraq and re-erect in the grounds of the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Arboretum, Arlewas.

War memorials stand in every village, town and city across the country. They are the focus of the Nation's remembrance. It is absolutely right that the names of all those who have given their lives fighting for their country should be honoured and remembered on them.

As Robert's parents said: "I don't think we're asking for the world. We're just asking for a name to be put on a memorial." ....... "It's actually quite a simple thing, when you think about it. It doesn't take much at all."........."To finish the story his name should be on the War Memorial."

BBC: Parents fight for son's name on war memorial (video)
BBC: Family fight for memorial honour
Harlow Council: Memorial to Private Robert Foster

Having beaten 5 Rifles and 1PWRR in two previous rounds of the competition, the boxing team from 2 R Anglian have now gone on to beat 35 Engr Regt and become British Forces Germany champions!

Not only did the Poachers win a close, hard-fought competition (5-4) last night, they did so away from home at the Engineers' base at Paderborn.

Not satisfied with one title, the Poachers are now going to be taking on 2 Para in the semi-finals of the wider all-Army competition on 11th March at Celle, 2 R Anglian's 's home base in Germany.

Congratulations to the Poachers!

Good luck for 11th March!

MoD: Boxing - British Army Website

In 1845 the unrest which had begun in Afghanistan spread to the Punjab, to the north-west of the Indian empire.
This led to the two Sikh wars of 1845–46 and 1848–49 and the eventual British annexation of the North-West Frontier region.
The Battle of Sobraon was fought between the British and the Khalsa, the Sikh army of the Punjab.

The British were victorious and this became the decisive battle of the 1st Sikh War. Battle Honours were subsequently awarded to the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment (10th Foot), now 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers).

Happy Sobraon Day!

The Royal Lincolnshire & Royal Anglian Regimental Association
BritishBattles.com: Battle of Sobraon

Last year's walk through five English counties - 150 miles in 10 days - had aimed to raise £35,000 for The Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Charity.

As it's turned out the hikers have at the latest count raised over £44,000! This is an amazing achievement for chief organiser Christine Bonner and her team.

It's fitting that 44 thousand pounds has been raised for they called their walk "All the 4s: 4 the boys, 4 the families, 4 the fallen, 4 ever"

Christine said: "People were so kind and it showed us that they really do care about the boys in their County Infantry Regiment - The Royal Anglian Regiment. We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

The country's four square behind you, Christine! Well done!

An intrepid former Royal Anglian, Josh Butcher, will be setting off next month to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Help for Heroes.

Josh served in Op Telic 8 and knows full well the terrible injuries some of his comrades suffered in Iraq and how the work of Help for Heroes has helped their recovery.

As he says: "Having served in the Army in operational environments, I am in a privileged position that I have come back safe and well. Some are not so lucky, including some of my friends. They have suffered horrific injuries and that ultimately affected their futures. Help for Heroes is a charity that aims to help and support our wounded troops and their families. They believe, as I do "that anyone who volunteers to serve in time of war, knowing that they may risk all, is a hero".

Help Josh reach his target of £4,000 by making a donation at: www.justgiving.com/josh-butcher1

All the best, Josh!

Help for Heroes Kilimanjaro Trek - 5th - 14th March 2010
Josh's Blog
Scunthorpe Telegraph: Epic trek to boost Heroes appeal

The Armed Forces Operational Awards List No.33 was published on 11th September. The list recognises service on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and national operations for the period 1st October 2008 to 30th April 2009. Of the 145 members of UK Armed Forces listed, the following serve with the Royal Anglian Regiment:

OBE - Lieutenant Colonel Simon Browne MBE

MBE - Captain Richard James Bredin

MC - Staff Sergeant Brendan William Elliott

MiD - Staff Sergeant Warren Gourley
MiD - Staff Sergeant Robert Stewart McGrory

QCVS - Captain Benjamin Thomas Hawes
QCVS - Sergeant Christopher John Leach

In conjunction with this list the Chief of Joint Operations has awarded his Commendation for 'Distinguished Service in support of United Kingdom Operations' and the General Officer Commanding and Deputy Commander Operations have also awarded commendations for valued service to the following Royal Anglians:

JCC Commendation - Sergeant L J Pearce
JCC Commendation - Corporal M T Prescott
JCC Commendation - Lance Corporal D B Tanner
JCC Commendation - Private J G Tully

GOC Commendation - Captain Bennet-Madge
GOC Commendation - Major Allen
GOC Commendation - Private Moffatt
GOC Commendation - Corporal O'Leary
GOC Commendation - Staff Sergeant Tyler-Creed

DCOM Ops Commendation - Captain Poulter
DCOM Ops Commendation - Warrant Officer Class 2 Gray
DCOM Ops Commendation - Private Hewitt
DCOM Ops Commendation - Private Grantham
DCOM Ops Commendation - Corporal Rawdon
DCOM Ops Commendation - Warrant Officer Class 2 Dyson
DCOM Ops Commendation - Corporal Hart
DCOM Ops Commendation - Colour Sergeant Towe
DCOM Ops Commendation - Private Coryat
DCOM Ops Commendation - Sergeant Vendyback
DCOM Ops Commendation - Sergeant Knight
DCOM Ops Commendation - Private Marshall

Congratulations to all those receiving awards!

MoD: Operational Honours and Awards List: 11 September 2009

The Regiment was formed on 1st September 1964 from the three Regiments of the East Anglian Brigade (The Royal Norfolk & Suffolk, The Duchess of Gloucester's Own Royal Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire and The 16th/44th Foot) and The Royal Leicestershire Regiment.

Happy Formation Day!

The Royal Anglian Regiment Museum: Family Tree
The Royal Anglian Regiment: Formation and History

400 officers and men from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment have just been told to prepare for imminent deployment to Afghanistan.

The Battalion last saw action in Afghanistan in 2007 when, during a very tough tour, nine of their number lost their lives fighting the Taliban.

Concerns have been raised that, due to a shortage of combat troops, the time devoted to pre-deployment training is being slashed from six months to six weeks. One senior Army source said: "This is a panic measure as we do not have sufficient battle-ready troops. Six months is the minimum required to bring troops up to battlefield readiness."

Whilst some in the Battalion will have first-hand experience of fighting on the frontline, most - possibly as high as 70% - will not have been to Afghanistan before.

An MoD spokeswoman said: "1st Battalion, Royal Anglians, are being prepared for deployment as part of prudent contingency planning. They are at a high level of readiness. No troops are ever deployed without full training." Regretfully it is becoming increasingly difficult to believe such statements from MoD spokespersons.

Cutbacks in equipment, cutbacks in funding, cutbacks in compensation and now cutbacks in training

Whatever the real situation, the Vikings will do the country proud.

The Mail: Troops to be sent to Helmand, Afghanistan with just 6 weeks' training

On the direction of the Crown Prosecution Service, Bedfordshire Police have charged seven people in connection with the "disturbance" which happened at the Homecoming Parade of 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment on March 10th in Luton.

The seven have been charged with Section 5 Public Order Offences and will appear before Luton Magistrates Court on Wednesday 16th September 2009.

This action by Beds Police goes against the wish of labour ministers that a softly-softly line should be taken in such situations for fear of further inciting Muslim radicalism. So it could still hold true that we haven't yet got a National Police Service. Good for Beds Police.

Bedfordshire Police: Charges in Connection with 2nd Royal Anglian Regiment Home Coming March Protest

Darren Jarrad who fought for his country with the Royal Anglian Regiment in Iraq and Afghanistan has been refused permission by the UK Border Agency to bring his Canadian wife and daughter to live in England.

In return for Darren putting his life on the line in the service of his country, he gets a kick in the teeth when he tries to establish a family life in that same country.

“I didn't mind going out to Afghanistan and Iraq, I didn't complain. I just don't understand why they won't let us have the visa. I'm not a rich bloke, but we have enough money, and I have never claimed anything off the government.”

So this is what it's like in nuLabour's Britain: a British war veteran is banned from bringing his wife and child to live in his native land while thousands of foreign "dependents", economic migrants and "asylum seekers" from God knows where and who have absolutely no commitment to the UK pour into the country every month with the blessing of the UK Border Agency.

Darren's local MP has petitioned the Home Secretary Alan Johnson to rectify this insulting, bureaucratic injustice. Unfortunately the government's commitment to members of the Armed Forces,past and present. is a joke; it would be better to get Joanna Lumley to fight his corner.

EDP24: Visa row splits Royal Anglian Afghan hero's family
Calgary Herald: Calgary wife of British soldier denied U.K. visa
The Telegraph: Canadian wife of British soldier told she cannot live here

Private Aaron McClure, Private Robert Foster and Private John Thrumble all from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, were killed while on a fighting patrol near Kajaki, Afghanistan on Thursday 23rd August 2007.

Of Pte Aaron McClure his CO said: "At 19 years old, Private Aaron McClure was already a veteran of over forty engagements with the enemy. It is tragic that where the Taliban had failed, it was an accident that has taken him from us. Loyal, hard working and highly professional, he constantly surpassed the standards expected, and his loss is a bitter blow to the whole Battalion." His friend Pte Barker said: "McClure known to most of his mates as 'Troy' was a hard working and very determined member of 7 Platoon who would 'work his socks off' to achieve the best results he could. 'Troy' had a lot of ambition and would have gone far in the Army. He will be missed very much by all of us in 7 Platoon and the Company. Rest in peace mate and my thoughts are with your family."

Pte Robert Foster's CO said: "As a junior soldier, Private Robert Foster settled in remarkably quickly and was a highly respected Viking. Fiercely loyal to his friends, he had seemingly limitless reserves of courage and strength of character way beyond his years. He had a rare quality of always seeing the bright side of any situation and a mischievous sense of humour which made him hugely popular." His Section Commander said: "Fozzy as he was known by all will be remembered for never turning a dare down. He was up for anything and kept the comedy value of the section up when it was most needed. He was a model for the British Army. It was a privilege to serve with him and we will never forget him."

About Pte John Thrumble the Battalion Commander said: "Private John Thrumble was one of the mainstays and leading characters within the Battalion. An inspirational model to others and a caring and compassionate friend to many, he will be sorely missed. Proven in combat on countless occasions – his raw courage and ability to raise a smile were invaluable in these testing times. He joins the ranks of his fellow fallen Vikings but his reputation will live on and he will never be forgotten." And Private Barker said: "John was the joker of the platoon and even the Company, and always managed to make you laugh whatever the circumstances. Although he was hard as nails, he had a soft side to him which most people did not know. He had some ambition and wanted to stay in the Army and work his way up through the ranks."

"These people going out fighting giving their lives for us;
They do it selflessly and they never get thanked enough.
They give it all, put their heart and soul into what they do
To make this world a better, safer place for me and you. "

Never forgotten

MoD Defence News

Christine Bonner, the mother of Cpl Darren Bonner of 1 R ANGLIAN who was killed in Afghanistan, soldiers from the Regiment and other supporters yesterday began their 150 mile walk to raise funds for the Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Fund.

The walk set off from Kirton on North Lincolnshire's coast and over the next 10 days will pass through the Regiment's home counties of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and will finish in Hertford next Sunday.

Each day they will end their day's hiking in Lincoln, Grantham (15th), Belvoir Castle (16th), Leicester (17th), Northampton (18th), Bedford (20th), Harpenden (21st) and Stevenage (22nd) and end up in Hertford Town Centre on Sun 23rd.

Donations can be made on the All the 4s website

Well done , Christine and all involved!

BBC: Soldier son remembered with walk
The Mirror: Walk for Royal Anglians

Although the Battle of Blenheim took place on 2nd August, The Royal Anglian Regiment reserves August 13th to commemorate the battle, a battle for which the Regiment gained a battle honour. To be exact it was the 16th Foot, later the Bedfordshire Regiment, which won the honour but by amalgamation the honour has transferred to 2 R ANGLIAN.

Anyway, 2nd August 1704, War of the Spanish Succession, somewhere in Germany, Duke of Marlborough v Marshall Tallard.... Britain, Austria, Germany (north), Denmark and Hungary , v France, of course, and Germany (south) - a

proper Euro-war, but strangely no Spanish. The battle was hard fought and bloody with 12,000 casualties on the allied side alone. The outcome was a total victory for the British and their allies. Interestingly, "a major contributing feature to the Duke of Marlborough’s success in the field was his concern that his soldiers be properly supplied and by his consummate ability in organising and administering that supply." - nothing new with regards the situation in Afghanistan , then.

Happy Blenheim Day!

British Battles: The Battle of Blenheim 1704

Captain David Hicks MC, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed on Saturday 11th August 2007 during a violent attack on his patrol base north east of Sangin, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

His CO said: "Captain Dave Hicks was an outstanding officer who will be

sorely missed by all members of the Battalion. It is typical of him that he had led from the forward position during the attack on his Company, in order to best direct the battle and provide an inspiring example to his men. Even after being mortally wounded his only concern was to get back into position to control the fight."

Sergeant Matthew Waters, 11 Platoon, C (Essex) Company, 1 R ANGLIAN said “Capt Dave Hicks was a good friend and a good leader of men. To me he was a calming influence who would be able to see through tough situations and find a positive side. His humour was unique and he always new what to say to cheer people up. Dave stepped up to company commander and used his intelligence and experience to do what was right for him and the men. He was a good friend but hopefully he has gone to a better place. Dave will be sorely missed by all in C (Essex) Company and across the Battalion. He was a true star.”

Captain Hicks was postumously awarded the Military Cross for exemplary gallantry in the field.

MoD: Captain David Hicks of The Royal Anglian Regiment killed in Afghanistan
Wokingham Borough Council: Commemorating the life of Captain David Hicks
The Mail: Army mourns hero captain who refused to abandon his troops in fightback against Taliban

.

Private Matt Woollard, from C (Essex) Company 1 R ANGLIAN, was just 18 when he stepped on three linked Taliban mines while out on patrol in Afghanistan. The mines took off his right leg and also left him with 160 pieces of shrapnel in his body. That was in May 2007. Now two years later he's determined to return to the frontline and become the first British infantryman with a prosthetic leg to go into battle.

Having decided to join the Army when still with the Leigh-on-Sea Army Cadets, Pte Woollard started training as soon as he left school at 16 and passed out in May, 2005. His deployment in Afghanistan with the Royal Anglians in 2007 was his first overseas tour. "I was nervous, but I'd had so much training and it's what I've always wanted to do, so I just cracked on with it."

Even when recovering from numerous operations, his positive attitude showed itself: "I just think well, life goes on - keep your chin up. There's nothing I can do about it, it's done now. I'm lucky I'm still alive."

Pte Woollard now walks with the help of a bionic leg fitted below the right knee. He has been following a tough fitness regimen - daily 3-mile runs, weight training, etc. With Corporal Billy Moore MC, also with 1 R Anglian and also wounded in Afghanistan, Matt has recently taken part in a week-long sailing trip along the English coast. Now he's ready to retake the Army's combat fitness test: " I know I can do it. I’m determined to do it, the leg’s a good bit of kit and is up to the challenge, so there’s no reason I shouldn’t."

Makes you feel very humble.

Good luck, Matt!

The Mail: British soldier amputee to return to Afghanistan 'to take fight to the Taliban'

The Star: Bionic Matt wants return to front line.

The Times: Private Matt Woollard: I’ve unfinished business on the front line

The Echo: Landmine blew my leg away