Wednesday 1st November 2017 the Formation day of the Regimental family’s new Battalion, 8 RIFLES. To mark the occasion in Bishop Auckland, the home of 8 RIFLES Battalion Headquarters, the Battalion held reception and a Formation Day Display by the Band and Bugles of the Rifles in the Market Place.
8th Battalion The Rifles (8 Rifles) which was announced as part of the Army 2020 Refine restructuring in December last year will have its headquarters in Eden Armoury, Bishop Auckland. The reserve battalion will also have companies in Bishop Auckland, Durham, Pontefract and Shrewsbury and detachments in Sunderland, Birmingham and Doncaster.
The evening embrace the 5 Pillars of the Rifles: Regulars; Reserves; Cadets; Associations; Communities. Lt Col Nathan Teale in welcoming the Civic dignitaries, community leaders, the military leaders, and association members from local branches and from Yorkshire stressed the importance of the Rifles connection to the Associations of the antecedent regiments and forming regiments.
“The new battalion which will be based across the North East will be paired with our regular sister battalion 2nd Battalion The Rifles supplying them with extra reserve combat support and providing fresh opportunities for those who wish to join the Army’s newest unit,” said Lieutenant Colonel Teale.
“I am extremely privileged to be the first Commanding Officer of 8 RIFLES, a key component of an Army Reserve that is forward looking, agile and modern. Today’s Riflemen are enthusiastic, eager to get on and up for a challenge and we want to hear from those who wish to join us.”
Branch members from three of our branches John Bradford, Ray McArdle, Stephen Winter, Maxine Jordan and Colin Cranswick travelled to Bishop Auckland to represent the Yorkshire branches of The Rifles Light Infantry and Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Association.