St George's Day in Iraq - 65 years on

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Soldiers in Iraq are to recreate history as they celebrate St George’s Day on the same spot as their forebears did during World War Two.

Worn with pride; a St George’s Day rose worn by a King’s Own Royal Border Regiment soldier
[Picture: Cpl John Hawkes]

As troops from The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR) gather on Sunday 23 April 2006 at Shaibah Logistics Base near Basra to receive their traditional red roses in a time honoured ceremony dating back more than 300 years, more than 3,000 miles away, a similar event takes place at the unit’s home base in North Luffenham, Rutland, for soldiers recently returned from the Gulf.

KORBR Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Dennis said:

"This occasion is important as it shows the continuity of the Regiment in action over many years. The St George’s Day parade is something we share with the entire regimental family, not just with those personnel serving in Iraq, but with our comrades and families in the UK, and all those who have served in our ranks in the past."

Shaibah Logistics Base in southern Iraq is the same place where on 23 April 1941, the KORBR’s antecedent unit, The King’s Own Royal Regiment, known at the time as The Flying Fourth, were also based. Those soldiers celebrated St George’s Day in the same way outside the same hanger on the then RAF Shaibah airbase – which became known as the “King’s Own” hangar.

Among them was Maj Gen Nigel Gribbon, then a company commander, who remembers the 1941 parade vividly and will present roses to soldiers in North Luffenham.

Lt Col Dennis said:

"It’s amazing that we have such a direct link to the past in Major General Gribbon and to think that on St George’s Day we will be stood in the same place in Iraq that he stood in 1941."

Rehearsing; the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment soldiers march on parade
[Picture: Cpl John Hawkes]

The ceremony on Sunday will be presided over by the commander of 7th Armoured Brigade in Iraq Brigadier Patrick Marriott. But the KORBR soldiers were just as proud to receive the bloom from their CO at a rehearsal – among them a relative newcomer to the unit Lance Corporal Claudia Thomson-Deney (22) from Aberystwyth.

During the parade adjutant Captain Rob Singleton will address the troops outlining the history of the event. The KORBR, and its antecedent units have celebrated St George’s Day since 1704 - a tradition that dates back to November 1688 when William of Orange landed in Torbay and The King’s Own was the first Regiment to join him on arrival in England.

For their support, William of Orange bestowed upon the Regiment the right to wear the lion of England as its badge which the KORBR still wear today.

This year's parade will be the last time the Regiment celebrates St George’s Day before it is amalgamated to form part of the The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (King’s Lancashire and Border) in July.

Capt Singleton said:

"St George’s Day is more significant this year than before because we are becoming the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment on 1st July so, while we have embraced the change and look forward to the challenges it brings, this will be the last time we celebrate under our existing name."

Historic; King’s Own Royal Border Regiment Captain Rob Singleton outlines the history of the event during the rehearsal
[Picture: Cpl John Hawkes]

The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR) (4th, 34th and 55th of Foot) was formed in 1959, after an amalgamation of The Border Regiment and The King’s Own Royal Regiment. It recruits from North Lancashire and Cumbria and is currently a light-role infantry battalion based in North Luffenham, Rutland.

In recent years the KORBR has served in Northern Ireland (2004-2005), Cyprus (2001-2003) and in the late 1990s deployed on three tours of the Balkans. This is the Regiment’s first tour of Iraq. The 500 men and women from the 1st Battalion KORBR deployed to Iraq in October 2005 and will return home over the next few weeks.

St George’s Day was traditionally celebrated by the KORBR’s predecessor The King’s Own Royal Regiment. In November 1688, William of Orange landed in Torbay and The King’s Own was the first Regiment to join him on arrival in England. Shortly after this James II fled to France. For their support, William of Orange bestowed upon the Regiment the right to wear the lion of England as its badge which we still wear today. The first record of St George’s Day being celebrated was 1704, the day of the accession of Queen Mary and each year the Regiment presents roses to its officers and soldiers on St George’s Day.

On 23 Apr 1941, The King’s Own Royal Regiment, known at the time as The Flying Fourth, were serving in Iraq during WW2. The Regiment saw action in Fallujah and Habbaniya. They celebrated St George’s Day near a hangar that is still currently standing, inside what is now Shaibah Logistics Base.

On 23 Apr 06 The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment will hold another St George’s Day Parade in the same spot – 65 years later. Maj Gen Nigel Gribbon, who was a Company Commander in 1941, remembers the 1941 parade vividly and he will present roses to soldiers who have recently returned to the UK in North Luffenham.

On 1 Jul 06 the KORBR merges with the King’s Regiment and the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment to become The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment which will have 2 Battalions, based in Cattery and Innsbruck, Germany. The unit will conduct a formation day parade on 8 July in North Luffenham, where HRH Princess Alexandra, the Colonel-in-Chief will oversee the change of cap badge.

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