Army Cuts

[CalumII]

This was always the point of creating the RRS; you had the infrastructure to cut battalions leaving a token company as a pacifier. Unless I've misread it, the Argylls are remaining regulars though. If they're doing public duties, I'd guess they're retaining the band.

[Alba2usa]

According to the Scotsman daily newspaper this morning, the Argyll's are saved for the moment for political expediency, but will be reduced to company strength and will take up their new duties at Edinburgh Castle.

The report states that the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (The Greys) are given a reprieve as a stand alone battalion, for now. Apparently the English regiments are being reduced by a greater percentage.

The Army's High Command wanted to "get rid of" (their words) the 4th battalion the Highlanders saying it had the worst recruitment record of all five regimental battalions.

You can read the whole article if you google "The Scotsman" Thursday 5 July 2012 00:30

[Alba2usa]

My father was the duty photographer at the Laying Up of the 8th Batt. A&SH Colours at Inveraray Castle in the '60's. That evening back home he composed a short three stanza poem, which was more of an admonishment to the then old Duke of Argyll, to take good care of the Battalion Colours. He sent it to the Duke and it was posted it on the castle wall by the Colours, plus a copy was sent to Regimental HQ at Stirling Castle and they published it in the Regimental Mag, that year. I still have the letter from the Duke thanking my Dad with the promise to take good care of the Battalion Colours.

Ironically, quite a few years later, there was a big fire at Inveraray Castle and I often wonder if the Colours and my dad's poem made it it through!

PS
Now that I think about it, he was also the duty photographer when Queen Elizabeth II presented the very same (new at the time) colours to the 7th and 8th battalion A & S H at Stirling Castle in 1961. He got a big kick out of the fact that the Queen posed for him very briefly whilst reviewing the Argyll's in the rain on the castle esplanade.

[David]

Regiment -> Battalion -> Company

So what's coming? The Royal Scots Platoon, and the old historical regiments will be represented by squads and fire teams?

Next big war, the UK may have to rent Hessians again, and hire Greek and Norwegian vessels to transport them. Of course there's no room for a lot of pipe bands if the whole MoD establishment is being down-sized. This shrinkage is hard for me to put into perspective, but then I have no say in the matter anyway. Piping seems to have an importance in the Scottish part of the British military, but what is general civilian Scottish opinion on piping in the military?

[classicbagpipes]

here is the link to the official British Army website, explaining all of the cuts: http://www.army.mod.uk/news/24264.aspx

[David]

Originally Posted by classicbagpipes

here is the link to the official British Army website, explaining all of the cuts: http://www.army.mod.uk/news/24264.aspx

The few professional British soldiers I know to a man decry the cuts as taking British forces to a dangerously low level, putting them into potentially heavy dependency on cooperative efforts at the expensive of sovereign decision-making. But since some might, in error, view that as a political (as opposed to military) comment, no more said on that!

I can't imagine how often any military anywhere in the world deals with heated controversy over loss of traditional music in the forces during a time of general cut-backs. Anyone know of any similar situations? Since the UK is a country made up of distinct nations, not too many possibilities for analogy I'd guess. How much of a role does traditional music in the military play for the general Scottish civilian population? They love the boys, I am sure, and turn-out in all weather for a pipe band and battalion march down the High Street, but is it a BIG issue there?

[phinson]

So will the Argylls become "Balaclava Company" again?

Paul Hinson

[Alba2usa]

Originally Posted by phinson

So will the Argylls become "Balaclava Company" again?

Paul Hinson

Many a truth spoken in jest!
I remember signing the petition the last time to 'save the Argyll's', jeez that was 40 years ago! Time passes when your having fun. I think a million signed it, just about everyone in Dunoon signed it, I doubt a million will sign it this time.