The Royal Anglian Regiment has marked its 60th anniversary with a ceremony at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. Serving personnel, veterans, and cadets paraded past our memorial to celebrate six decades of service.
Over 4000 people attended from around the country. gathering to remember the fallen, catch up with our friends to celebrate our 60th Anniversary in style.
The main events commenced with a Drumhead Service in front of the Regimental Memorial. The Colours were paraded and laid on drum stacks in front of the memorial and the service was conducted by the Assitant Honuary Chaplain to the Regiment for Cambridgshire, the Reverand Alan Jesson TD, the Reverend B J Norton CF (Chaplain 1 Royal Anglian) nd the Reverand V Sampson CF (Chaplain to 2 Royal Anglian).
The Reading was taken from Micah 4.1-5 and was read by Major General Dom Biddick MBE MC (Colonel of the Regiment).
At the end of the Drumhead Service, the Colonel of the Regiment addressed all those present, remarking on the importance of this milestone, reflecting on the past, and looking ahead to the future for all those serving and our veterans community.
The annual Sunday gathering this year fell on the 1st September, the exact day the Regiment was formed from a number of precedent County Regiments. This historical lineage is maintained today across our 3 battalions, and we carry forward many of the Battle Honours of those Regiments.
It was fantastic to see many who have served over the years, mix with current serving soldiers from across the Regiment, along with family who had made the trip to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.
The event saw many of our local Army Cadets and their adult staff attend, and the Regiment took the opportunity to present Cadet Coins to those who have gone beyond their normal commitment or who have stood out as leaders, both in the cadets and adult staff.
The event also saw a large contingent from our very own Royal Anglian Riders (Motorbikes). Over 50 riders attended and bespoke pennants were presented to some of the group. This group of veterans and some serving personnel, take time to ride together to various events and display our Regimental flag. The group is an ideal way for those keen on motorbikes to stay connected to the Regiment and support each other.
Music for the day was supplied by the Band of the Royal Anglian Regiment and we saw the reformed Corps of Drums perform in the afternoon.
We now look forward to the next decade. The regiment will remain as committed as ever on exercises, and Operations across all three battalions. The Regiment is also focused on the support to our veterans and wider family community. This work will be driven by the RHQ, but we all have a part to play.
Strength From Within.
