1st Queens Own Highlanders formed in Edinburgh - 1961 The Amalgamation of the Seaforth Highlanders and The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders took place on the 7th February 1961, in a simple ceremony at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh when the two regular battalions were formed into a single battalion. The officers and sergeants of the 1st Seaforth and 1st Camerons assembled in the officers mess, where the two stands of Colours were combined to symbolise the union, and a toast was drunk to the new regiment. That morning, at Edinburgh Castle, the last guard mounted by the 1st Camerons was relieved by the first guard mounted by the 1st Queens Own Highlanders. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in the Far East - 1961-1964 On 9th April 1961 the Queens Own Highlanders sailed for the Far East. On arrival in Singapore the battalion was stationed in Selarang Barracks, and was the British Battalion of 99 Gurkha Infantry Brigade, in the 17th Gurkha Division. On 6th February 1962 the battalion trooped the Regimental Colours of the 1st Seaforth and 1st Camerons in Singapore. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in the Brunei rebellion - 1962-1963 The operational role of the Queens Own Highlanders was to maintain the internal security of Singapore, but the battalion also carried out training in the British dependencies in North Borneo, supporting the civil authorities in preventing piracy, and acting as a deterrent to Indonesian interference with the North Borneo Territories. On 8th December 1962 armed rebellion broke out in the Sultanate of Brunei where rebel forces led by Azahari attacked the Sultans palace, and also police stations and installations throughout Brunei. The rebels took hostages and seized the Shell oilfield at Seria. Battalion Headquarters and A Company of the Queens Own Highlanders moved at very short notice from Singapore to Brunei by air, while the destroyer HMS Cavalier sailed at full speed carrying B Company. 60 men of A Company landed by five Twin Pioneer aircraft at Seria and seized Panaga Police Station. Simultaniously the remainder of A Company landed by Beverley aircraft at Anduki Airfield, captured the control tower, and seized the Bailey bridge over the Sungei Bera. Next morning the battalion advanced through Seria, A Company clearing a strong rebel force from the Sultans summer palace, and B Company releasing 46 European hostages from the rebel held Police Station. Finally B Company 1st/2nd Gurkhas cleared Kuala Belait. The battalion returned to Singapore in February 1963 on the Commando ship HMS Albion, after its first active service since the amalgamation of the regiment. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Brunei and North Borneo - 1963 The 1st Ballaion returned to Borneo in May 1963, when its duties included long range patrolling of the Indonesian border, and the training of local tribesmen as Border Scouts. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Edinburgh - 1964 In March 1964 the Queens Own Highlanders returned to Edinburgh and was billeted at Milton Bridge camp. On 21st May 1964 the battalion received its first Stand of Colours from HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel in Chief of the Regiment, at the Palace of Holyrood in Edinburgh. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Germany - 1964-1966 In June 1964 the Queens Own Highlanders moved to Mercer Barracks in Osnabruck in West Germany. The battalion formed part of 12 Infantry Brigade, in the 2ns Division, in the British Army of the Rhine. In 1965 and 1966 the 1st Battalion won the Army Championship at the Regular Army Skills-at-Arms meeting at Bisley. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Berlin - 1966-1968 The Queens Own Highlanders moved from Osnabruck to Berlin in August 1966, where the battalion formed part of the Berlin Infantry Brigade in the four power occupation force comprising British, US, Russian and French troops. In 1967 the battalion again won the Army Championship at the Regular Army Skills-at-Arms meeting at Bisley. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Edinburgh - 1968-1971 In September 1968 the Queens Own Highlanders returned to Redford Barracks, Edinburgh. Its three year tour in Britain included a period of nine months in the Gulf, where the battalion served in the Trucial States. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Sharjah - 1969-1970 From May 1969 to February 1970, under Great Britains treaty obligations to protect the Trucial States and maintain stability in the oil-producing countries of the Middle East, the Queens Own Highlanders spent a nine month tour at Sharjah in the Trucial States. The battalion was based at the RAF airfield in Sharjah, and trained in desert and mountain operations throughout the Trucial States and Oman. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Edinburgh - 1970-1971 On its return to Edinburgh in 1970, the Queens Own Highlanders provided the ceremonial and administrative duties for the Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh, including Royal Guards of Honour for HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Germany - 1971-1976 In April 1971 the Queens Own Highlanders moved to Belfast Barracks, Osnabrück, in West Germany. The battalion formed part of 12 Mechanised Brigade, in the 2nd Division, in the British Army of the Rhine. In 1971 the Queens Own Highlanders represented Great Britain in the CENTO Small Arms Competition and won first place, the only British battalion ever to win this competition. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Northern Ireland - 1971-1974 In November 1971 the Queens Own Highlanders began its first tour of duty in Ulster since the troubles in Northern Ireland started in 1969. The battalion was deployed in East Belfast, with Battalion Tactical Headquarters, B Company and D Company in Ballymacarret, and A, Support, and Headquarters Companies as the brigade and battalion reserve at Sydenham Royal Naval Aircraft Yard. The battalion returned to Osnabrück in March 1972. In July 1972, as part of Operation Motorman, the Queens Own Highlanders was flown to Northern Ireland at less than a weeks notice, and remained there until November 1972. The battalion was deployed with Tactical Headquarters and A Company at Dungannon, B Company with the Life Guards in Belfast, D Company with the 1st Gordons in Armagh and Lurgan, and Support Company with the 1st Welsh guards in Belfast. In December 1973 the Queens Own Highlanders moved to Belfast for the battalions third tour of duty in Northern Ireland. The battalions area of responsiblity was the Lower Falls, with battalon Tactical Headquarters in the Hastings Street Mill, A Company in the Reservation, B and D Companies in the Albert Street Mill, and Support Company at Broadway. The battalion returned to Osnabrück in April 1974. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Germany - 1974-1976 Having returned from Northern Ireland, The Queens Own Highlanders trooped the Regimental Colour, in Osnabruck on 21st July 1974 before the Colonel of the Regiment, General Sir Peter Hunt. In November 1974 the Queens Own Highlanders battle group carried out mechanised training and field firing at Suffield in Canada, with two armoured squadrons and a battery of field artillery under command. In 1975 the battalion won the Army Championship at the Regular Army Skills-at-Arms meeting at Bisley. On 26th April 1976 detachments of the 1st Battalion Queens Own Highlanders and the 2nd Battalion 51st Highland Volunteers TAVR represented the regiment when it was granted the Freedom of Tain. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Edinburgh - 1976-1980 In June 1976 the Queens Own Highlanders returned to Britain, and the battalion was stationed at Ritchie Camp, Kirknewton, near Edinburgh. The 1st Battalion celebrated its return to Scotland by trooping the Regimental Colour in the Northern Meeting Park at Inverness on 21st July 1976, before Lieutenant General Sir Chandos Blair, Colonel of the Regiment. During nearly four years based at Kirknewton, the battalion spent six months in Belize, and carried out two tours, each of four months, in Northern Ireland. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Belize - 1976-1977 In August 1976 the Queens Own Highlanders flew to the colony of Belize (formerly British Honduras) in Central America. The battalion formed part of the British force based in Belize, to defend the colony against invasion from Guatamala. The battalion was deployed throughout the country, with Battalion Headquarters and one company at Belize Airport, and with company groups in Cayo and Toledo Districts. The battalion was supported by an armoured recce squadron of the Life Guards, a light battery of 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, and by RAF Puma helicopters and Harriers. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Edinburgh - 1977-1978 In February 1977 the Queens Own Highlanders returned to Edinburgh. The battalion provided the Royal Guard at Ballater during the summer of 1977. On 15th October 1977 the Regiment received the Freedon of the District of Sutherland at Golspie, with a detachment of the 1st Queens Own Highlanders on parade. During the firemens strike in November-December 1977, the battalion undertook fire-fighting duties in Edinburgh, and tackled 257 fires. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Northern Ireland - 1978 From April to August 1978 the Queens Own Highlanders carried out a tour of duty in North Armagh. Battalion HQ, Support and HQ Companies were based at Armagh, A Company at Cookstown, B Company at Dungannon, and D Company at Middletown. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Edinburgh - 1978-1979 The Earl of Seaforths Highland Regiment was originally passed as fit for service at Elgin on 15th May 1778. On the bicentenary of this date the Queens Own Highlanders was on operational duty in Northern Ireland. The Bicentenary celebrations were therefore delayed until after the battalion had returned to Edinburgh. The Bicentenary was celebrated at Elgin where, on 14th October 1978, the Regiment was granted the Freedon of the District of Moray. On parade at Elgin with the 1st Battalion were detachments of the 51st Highland Volunteers, the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, the Cameron Highlanders of Canada, and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. The Queens Own Highlanders spent a short period training in Gibraltar in late 1978. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Northern Ireland - 1979 From July to October 1979 the Queens Own Highlanders carried out its most testing tour of duty in Northern Ireland when it was responsible for the difficult border country of South Armagh. Battalion HQ and Support Comapany were based at the Bessbrook linen mill, A Company at Forkhill, B Company at Newtonhamilton, and D Company at Crossmaglen. The battalion had the great misfortune to lose its Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel D N A Blair, and his signaller Lcpl Victor MacLeod, killed in an IRA bomb attack at Warren Point, when 16 soldiers from B Company 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment also died. Three other soldiers from the 1st battalion, Cpl David Wares, Cpl David Lang, and Pte A McMillan also died on this tour of duty. But despite these losses the battalion achieved outstanding success in its anti-terrorist operations. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Hong Kong - 1980-1981 In March 1980 the Queens Own Highlanders moced to Hong Kong where the battalion was stationed at Stanley Fort. The main operational role was to prevent illegal immigration from China. During its tour in Hong Kong the battalion arrested over 9000 immigrants, by using foot patrols, ambushes, boats, helicopters and ponies. Companies also trained in Brunei and New Zealand. 1st Queens Own Highlanders at Tidworth - 1981 In December 1981 the Queens Own Highlanders left Hong kong and returned to Great Britain. The battalion formed part of 1 Infantry Brigade in the United Kingdom Mobile Force(Land). 1st Queens Own Highlanders in the Falklands - 1982 When Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982, the 1st battalion Queens Own Highlanders was twice placed on stand-by to take part in the recapture of the Islands. The battalion flew to Ascension Island, and then embarked on the troopship MV Norland. In the event it reached the Falklands shortly after the end of hostilities. The battalion relieved two brigades, and deployed with Battalion Headquarters and HQ Company in Port Stanley, A Company at Goose Green, B Company (less a platoon in South Georgia) at North Arm and then Roy Cove, D Company at Fox Bay, Support Company at port Stanley then North Arm. The battalion had the role of clearing up Port Stanley and the settlements where fighting had taken place, and of restoring normal life to the civil community. It returned to Tidworth in December 1982. In recognition of the battalions outstanding service to the civil community in the Falklands, it was awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace. 1st Queens Own Highlanders at Tidworth - 1982-1983 On 23rd July 1983 the Queens Own Highlanders was presented with its second Stand of Colours at Tidworth by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment. The Wilkinson Sword of Peace was also presented at the start of the parade. On 6th August 1983 a guard of the Queens Own Highlanders represented the regiment when it recieved the Freedom of Nairn. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Northern Ireland - 1983-1985 In November 1983 the Queens Own Highlanders moved to Northern Ireland for a residential tour. The battalion was based at Alexander Barracks, Aldergrove, beside Belfast Airport. The battalions main operational task was to maintain one company detached as a reinforcement to 4th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment in County Fermanagh, on a roulement system. During the battalions tour its companies also operated throughout the province. 1st Queens Own Highlanders at Fort George - 1985-1988 In November 1985 the Queens Own Highlanders returned to the regimental area when it moved to Fort George. During 1983-1985 the Fort had been extensivly modernised, and the Queens Own Highlanders was to be the first battalion to enjoy the new facilities. On 5th July 1986 a guard of the 1st battalion paraded at Wick when the regiment recieved the Freedom of the Caithness District. The battalion later carried out a months field training in Kenya. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Belize - 1987 In April 1987 the Queens Own Highlanders returned to Belize for a six month tour. The battalion was permamently deployed as two battle groups, each of two companies with armoured recce and artillery support. Battle Group North occupied Airport Camp and Holdfast Camp in Cayo District, while Battle Group South occupied Rideau and Salamanca Camps in Toledo District. The battalion moced back to Fort George in December 1987. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Germany - 1988-1993 In March 1988 the Queens Own Highlanders moved from Fort George to Münster in Germany. The battalion at first formed part of 6 Armoured Brigade in the 3rd Armoured Division, and was then regrouped in January 1989 to 33 Armoured Brigade. In 1989 the battalion carried out battle group training at Suffield, in Canada During the five year period in Münster the 1st battalion completed two tours of duty in Northern Ireland in 1990 and 1992-1993, and took part in the Gulf War in 1991. In August 1990, on return from the tour in Belfast, the Queens Own Highlanders provided the guard when the Regiment received the Freedom of the Orkney Islands, at Kirkwall on 22nd August, and the Freedom of Badenoch and Strathspey District at Grantown-on-Spey, on 24th August. The 1st Battalion celebrated the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Regiment by trooping the Regimental Colour at Münster before the Colonel of the Regiment, Major General John Hopkinson. The battalion then received a visit from HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Northern Ireland - 1990 The Queens Own Highlanders carried its 7th tour of duty in Northern Ireland from February to July 1990. It was grouped under 39 Infantry Brigade as the Belfast Roulement Battalion, with responsibility for north and west Belfast. Battalion Headquarters and A Company were based at North Howard Street Mill, B Company at Girdwood Park, D Company at Fort Whiterock. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in the Gulf War - 1991 The Queens Own Highlanders took part in Operation Granby, the military action to recover Kuwait from the occupying forces of Iraq. The battalion deployed piecemeal, Battalion Headquarters providing command for the Armoured Delivery Group, the reinforcements of vehicles and crews, including three armoured squadrons and three armoured infantry companies, which were ready to replace casualties if they occurred. A (Atbara) Company Group provided the guard force HQ 1 Armoured Division in the field, and B (Alamein) Company Group the guard for Headquarters British Forces Middle East in Riyadh. The battalion also provided reinforcements for units of the 7th and 4th Armoured Brigades, including 1st Battalion Royal Scots and 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The Regimental Band deployed as medical orderlies in October 1990 under command of 1st Armoured Division Field Ambulance. The ground campaign began on G Day, 24th February 1991, and lasted for 100 hours. The 1st Armoured Division entered Iraq through the breach in the frontier obstacles cleared by US engineers. When the cease fire was declared at 0800 hours on 28th February, the battalion regrouped about 20 miles north-west of Kuwait City. The battalion suffered the sad loss of three soldiers serving as reinforcements with 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, who were killed when their Warrior APC was hit by a missile fired from a US aircraft. The battalion returned to Münster in late March 1991. 1st Queens Own Highlanders Battle Honour For its part in the Gulf war the 1st Battalion Queens Own Highlanders was awarded the Battle Honour: Gulf 1991 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Northern Ireland - 1992-1993 The Queens Own Highlanders carried out its 8th and final tour of duty in Northern Ireland from November 1992-May 1993. It formed part of 39 Infantry Brigade, and was responsible for West Belfast. Battalion Headquarters and A Company were based in North Howard Street Mill, B Company at New Barnsley RUC Station, and D Company at Fort Whiterock. 1st Queens Own Highlanders in Edinburgh - 1993-1994 The Queens Own Highlanders moved to Dreghorn Barracks Edinburgh in November 1993. There in July 1994 the farewell events of the Queens Own Highlanders were held, preceded on 22nd July by a service of thanksgiving in St Giles Cathedral. On 23rd July HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, reviewed the Regiment at Dreghorn Barracks as Colonel-in-Chief. On parade for the review were the 1st Battalion Queens Own Highlanders, detachments of 2nd Battalion 51st Highland Volunteers TA, V Company The Liverpool Scottish TA, the Queens Own Highlanders Cadets, the Regimental Associations and their Pipe Band. In the afternoon a Farewell Gathering was held on the playing field at Dreghorn Barracks. The final ceremonial event of the Queens Own Highlanders was the granting of the Freedom of the Western Isles of the Regiment on 2nd September 1994. The 1st Battalion provided a guard for the ceremony which took place at Stornoway. Amalgamation - 17th September 1994 On 17th September 1994, at Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh, the Queens Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) were amalgamated with the Gordon Highlanders to form: THE HIGHLANDERS (SEAFORTH,GORDONS and CAMERONS)
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 12:17:11 +0000