Regimental Histories - Year 1960-1985 - Brockbank - Page 0098
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CHAPTER 7 TID WOR TH The Regiment handed over to the l3/18th Royal Hussars during the last week in November 1977 and reassembled at Aliwal Barracks, Tidworth, where it relieved the 15,"l9th The Kings Royal Hussars, for an eighteen months stay before returning to Germany. C Squadron went on to Cyprus where they were to remain for the whole tour. A Squadron followed them there in March 1978 for a six months tour with the United Nations Force. A Squadron, now commanded by Major Hutchins, became a close reconnaissance squadron and con- verted to the Fox armoured car. But the smoothness of settling in and conversion of role were considerably upset by the Government’s decision to use the Army to break the Fire Service‘s strike The Regiment was deployed in Scotland for almost the entire month of December on this duty. Few got their entitled leave until the job was finished but, as the Com- manding Officer said, “Every man did his job well with infinite humour and determination”. One piece of good news was the award of a Mention in Despatches to Sergeant Maughan for his work in Ulster. Two key appointments changed before the end of the year, Captain Bell handing over as Regimental Quartermaster to Captain Paton and SSM Mitchell taking over as RSM from Mr Grant who was commissioned. C Squadron, which was lucky enough not to go firefighting and to get its leave, flew into Cyprus on the 24th November. It was equipped with Ferrets and based with the Queens Lanca- shire Regiment at the Western Sovereign Base Area at Episkopi less two troops deployed on rotation to the Eastern Sovereign Base Area at Pergamos and Ayios Nikolaos where they were in support of the resident battalion, After the Turkish invasion 95 |
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