On Thursday 25 November PM Roger Watson and the Clerk attended Mooltan Barracks, Tidworth at the invitation of the OC 1 Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The event was as spectacular as ever , including not only the eight very brief inter-Company boxing bouts but the brilliant mini military tattoo.

The shooting prize ( nicknamed the Top Gun Award ) was this year awarded to Fusilier Joseph Coyne, Fusilier Billy Grefasly and Corporal Connor Hill. PM Watson presented the 2021 Mounted  Warrior munition trophy to the highest scoring crew. 

The CO's Award Trophy was also handed over to the Adjutant. who was shown how it should be assembled (i.e. the two war arrows, one swallowtail head on barrel shaft with WCoF colour fletching, and one parallel shaft with bodkin head, attach to the mahogany base by neodymium magnets hidden in the shafts).

We were delighted to be able to share in this special event of the RRF, a military affiliation which the Fletchers cherish.

The WCF congratulates members of 13 Company ACF, one of our military affiliates,  who received awards at the Annual Camp. 

The final parade saw 135 receive promotions and star level completion badges. Cadet Cpl Gleed was awarded Best Student on the JCIC.

135 det also received the Fletchers Livery pin badges to the envy of the other detachments ( see photo attached). Sgt Instructor Fenech also received his Jack Petchey Leaders award certificate and coin.

We were delighted to receive a report from Major Kaz Lorimer (O/C 13 Company SW London ACF RMR) on the Annual Camp of 13 Company, one of the WCF's military affiliates, and to hear that the cadets enjoyed activities such as abseiling and caving (ingeniously, using mobile units - even Covid can't stop the excitement!), laser tag and archery, as well as completing some of the more mandatory APC "Green" training.

Some of our NCOs  completed their Junior Cadet Instructors Cadre (JCIC) which means after completion they can support their detachment Commanders in the instructional side of detachment life.

The cadets also experienced 24 hours on a field training exercise and a day on the ranges shooting the cadet GP rifle.  See the gallery below for  photos.

While we were in the field we were lucky to host Colonel Chris Head from the First Fusiliers. It was also a delight to bump into Colonel Power of the Fusiliers (all the more so as he is a liveryman of the WCF) as he was inspecting RMR London.

With him in the photo was 13 Coy Staff officer Capt Nick Thomas, 13 Coy Training Sgt Major  SMI Alister Notridge and Acting Company Sgt Major SMI Brett Overington.

The Company is pleased to make a number of awards each year to our Military Affiliates, based on recommendations from their respective commanding officers and usually going to an outstanding junior rank.   For the Army, we have links with both Battalions of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, 1 RRF regular and 5 RRF Reserve, Oxford University Officers Training Corps and 135 RRF Cadet Detachment at Balham.  Undeterred by Covid lockdown, the Company conducted a video ceremony to award  Corporal Tom Green of First Fusiliers a yet to be completed prize of mounted arrows; Cpl Tom being the CO’s nominee.

By way of introduction, the Master made reference to the long and proud traditions of the Fusiliers and Fletchers, noting our mutual connections with the Tower, whilst gently reminding them that we were a couple of centuries ahead here.  He went on to say how very much we appreciated this affiliation, noting both joint events and joint members, and to explain the significance and prestige of the Arrow award for outstanding achievement and merit.  

The Commanding Officer of First Fusiliers, Lt Col Chris Head MC, reciprocated his appreciation of the link and gave a brief summary of his Battalion’s activities over the past year.  Their deployment to Estonia had gone ahead, despite Covid, as it had to in order to maintain a demonstrable forward  deterrent , and because, put simply, that is what the Army does, regardless.  There, he  had been in command of an armoured  battle group of about a thousand soldiers,  with his core Fusilier Battalion supported by a Danish armoured Infantry company and the various elements of artillery, engineers, signals, intelligence, medical et al to make up a powerful independent force. 

The tour had been highly successful in its operational purpose, but severely constrained in off duty and recreational terms because the country was under very tight Covid restrictions.  Estonia was a small country of barely 1 1/3 million with only 150 intensive care beds.  Troops were confined to barracks and normal mid tour leave had been cancelled, placing additional stress on troops and families, well supported by the Rear Party back in the UK, so post operational leave on return was particularly welcome.  The Battalion was now on 12 hour notice for any contingency, with medics already deployed on Covid related tasks.

Lt Col Head then turned to the recipient of the Fletchers Arrow, Corporal Tom Green, who was pleasantly surprised to find his proud Parents joining the video call.  Cpl Green was a section commander and PT Instructor, already an outstanding NCO when he was very seriously injured in a road accident last August whilst undertaking a 100 mile cycle challenge to raise funds for Combat Stress.  He was now being treated for serious spinal injury at the Defence Rehabilitation Centre (Stanford Hall in Leicestershire which replaced Headley Court near Epsom) where his cheerful determination, fortitude in adversity and fighting spirit was an inspiration to all.

The Master endorsed Cpl Green as a truly worthy recipient and shot the arrow on its virtual trajectory via Lt Col Head to Cpl Green, whose response and subsequent conversation with the Master confirmed all that had been said.  He was a fine example of all that is best in our Army. The Ceremony concluded with the Master thanking the Fusiliers for all that they were doing and looking forward to welcoming Lt Col Head at a future Fletchers event, whenever that might be.

Four Fletchers were privileged to visit 1^st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers on Monday 20 May 2019.  John Power, Andrew McMillan, Robert Selwyn and Gordon Sharp were welcomed at Mooltan Barracks, Tidworth by the Adjutant, Captain Graham Sweetman.

We were then taken to one of the training facilities on Salisbury plain, where we met amongst others the CO, Lt. Colonel Chris Head MC.

After a bite of lunch with troops from X and Z Companies, we were shown around one of their Warrior vehicles (which was rather less comfortable than the minibus we were transported in!).

We then observed (from a safe distance) two training exercises, as the Fusiliers attacked and cleared some of the houses in the training area.  Training ammunition was being used, which was described to us as paintballs on steroids – i.e. you were liable to say “ouch” very loudly if hit!  The discipline shown by the troops was impressive to see.  This was part of their preparation in advance of going to Canada later in the year for a major training exercise there.

Finally we were given the opportunity to show our own marksmanship, liberally spraying some trees with (eco-friendly) paintball rounds.

We all came away much better informed as to the challenges currently facing the First Fusiliers, and their organisation and personnel.  As Robert said, “I often feel so detached from the forces that protect us and promote our interests abroad and take what they do for granted. Being able to meet and talk to some of them in their familiar surroundings drummed home how special these people are putting their safety and comfort on the line for the benefit of ours.”

Further opportunities will be sought for us to return their hospitality and to strengthen our links with them.

Gordon Sharp

The Fletchers are also extremely pleased to be associated with 135 RRF Detachment of the Army Cadet Force, who on occasion have provided a Carpet guard at some of our events.  The photos show the Cadets at Installation of the Master Fletcher Adrian Scott-Knight in April 2015.  We are also pleased to have sponsored another Fusilier cadet units parachute jump in 2015.

"Once a Fusilier, always a Fusilier"

The Fletchers have a long association with the Fusiliers whose Regimental Headquarters at the Tower of London recognises a link with the Tower stretching back over 400 years.

The Fusiliers' Mess and Museum are both based at the Tower. More details on the Fusiliers can be found through this link to their Ministry of Defence website page.

Through the auspices of the Fusiliers and of the Tower of London the Fletchers are delighted to have an annual archery competition in the moat of the Tower against the Bowyers Company followed by a celebratory dinner in the Fusiliers mess.