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Welcome to the
OP Telic 6 (IRAQ) Section
Battalion Articles
The following information has recently been
submitted for the next edition of the Guards
Magazine
AN OUTSIDER’S VIEW
By
Maj A N HADFIELD
The Staffordshire Regiment
“So what are the Coldstream Guards like?” I am often
asked, in tones normally reserved for inquiries
about a family bereavement.
 A
Company was selected from a cast of 3 to be
battlegrouped with the 1st Battalion Coldstream
Guards for operations in Iraq. Experience had taught
the planners that Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicles
were handy things to have in Basra City and as the
Armoured Infantry Battalion in 12 Mechanised
Brigade, 1 STAFFORDS was tasked to provide.
Fortunately we reorganised early and, despite the
tour not starting until April, A Company began
training with the Coldstream in January. At first
the training was aimed at the lowest level, but this
gave everyone a chance to develop those
relationships that are so critical to making
everything work smoothly in the longer term. In
particular the CQMS got to know the QM (I’m allowed
to abbreviate, I’m in the Line Infantry), and the
Sergeant Major met the Sergeant Major. In truth,
whilst there are some differences, they are mostly
cosmetic and it soon became obvious that we were
fortunate to be working with a Battlegroup that
shared our own high professional standards, cared
very much about our well being and was happy to let
us observe our own customs and traditions. Very
quickly the troops got to know each other and met
friends from previous courses and postings.
So began the process of ‘integration’. By the time
we arrived in Theatre this process was complete and
at times we were occasionally invited to offer
comment - in the way that normally only family are
allowed!
We have now been in Theatre for some 4 months and I
believe that the relationship has gone from strength
to strength. 1st Battalion
Coldstream Guards have looked after us superbly,
despite our voracious appetite for spare parts and
diesel. Whilst we have been fortunate in having our
own Company lines, allowing us to create a little
piece of Staffordshire in a sea of blue, red and
blue, I hope that we have contributed to the whole
and fulfilled our part of the bargain. We have
enjoyed ourselves and remain convinced that we were
lucky to come to Basra with the Coldstream.
It is almost certain that the impending merger of
the Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales’s)
with the 22nd Cheshire Regiment and the
Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters (29th/45th
Foot) means that our two regiments are unlikely to
ever soldier together again in close proximity. 2005
is our Tercentenary Year, but we have spent it
abroad on operations. For a Regiment
 whose
history has seen us spend so much time overseas (57
continuous years were spent in the West Indies from
1707 to 1764) this is probably quite apt. Next year
sees us conducting another armoured training year in
readiness for operations in 2007, whilst
for the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards next year
sees ‘Spring Drills’ followed by Public Duties. By
the end of 2007 we will have reformed as the 3rd
Battalion The Mercian Regiment (STAFFORDS) and the
Stafford Knot will have disappeared from our caps,
probably never to return. Nevertheless the men of A
Company hope that
they have not let their Regiment down, and I can
assure you that the Coldstream have behaved
impeccably as together we have pursued operational
success.
Once again, many thanks for making us so welcome,
and by the way, the answer to the question is always
a clear one – the Coldstream Guards are fine, just
fine!
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