The Lieutenancy of Kent Supports TA 100 |
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A call is going out inviting former members of the Territorial Army and other Volunteer Reserves throughout Kent to put their names forward to take part in major celebrations during 2008. This year marks TA 100 – the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army – and celebrations are being planned at both National and County level. In Kent, the Lord Lieutenant Allan Willett CMG (pictured), The Queen’s representative in the County, is leading the celebrations, with participation from the other Volunteer Reserves including the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Marines Reserve, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, the RAFVR, and the Royal Observer Corps. Highlight will be a parade and thanksgiving service at Canterbury Cathedral on 6 September for all current units – and for veterans who have served over the years. Plans are still being drawn up, and linked celebrations around the County are expected to include a joint Veterans Day and TA 100 event at Chatham Historic Dockyard on Saturday 5 July, and other events at Penshurst Place, Maidstone and Dover. Former Territorials and other Volunteer Reservists, or their widows or other close relatives, are being invited to provide their contact details for a database that will enable the organisers of Kent-based TA 100 events – the Lieutenancy, the Chain of Command and today’s TA units – to keep those interested informed. The Lord Lieutenant said: “This Nation and our Frontline County owe a huge debt to past and present members of the TA and our other Volunteer Reservists, their families and supporters – including employers – for the vital role they have played as an integral part of the Forces of the Crown, supporting the regular Armed Forces at home and abroad in two World Wars, the Cold War and later conflicts through to Iraq and Afghanistan and beyond.” He added: “Voluntary service plays such an important role in our lives – and there can be few more worthwhile activities than serving Queen and Country with the Volunteer Reserve Forces. They are truly twice a citizen – holding down civilian jobs as well as serving in uniform – and the Lieutenancy of Kent wishes to honour and thank them during the Centenary year and demonstrate that their personal sacrifice is recognised and appreciated.” Although the Centenary is that of the Territorial Army, the Lord Lieutenant wishes to use the anniversary year to celebrate all Kentish volunteers. He believes that is entirely appropriate in a county with a proud maritime heritage that includes the great contribution made by the Cinque Ports, fore-runners of the Royal Navy, and Chatham Dockyard which played such a vital role in the Nation’s defence over the centuries. It also includes the development of military aviation on the Isle of Sheppey through to the significant part many of Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons played in winning the Battle of Britain in Kentish skies. To enter your contact details on the TA100 database send them with brief dates of your service and former unit to: TA100 Database, Lord Lieutenant’s Office, Cumberland Cottage, Chilham, Canterbury, Kent CT4 8BX; fax them to 01227 738855; phone Jackie Dale on 01227 738800 Monday-Thursday only; or e-mail them to Kentta100@allanwillett.org Here, the Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett CMG, President of the County of Kent Committee for Reserve Forces and Cadets, explains why the Lieutenancy is leading the celebrations.
A WARTIME poster showing a defiant Kentish Territorial astride the map of our County sums up what TA 100 is all about. Let’s be clear about this: we are the Frontline County, with every reason to be proud of our role as Guardians of the Gateway to England, and every reason to celebrate the Centenary of the Territorial Army. Not lightly did the great Kent historian Edward Hasted write two centuries ago: ‘A privilege…claimed by the men from Kent…is that of being placed in the vanguard of the army….which right was granted to them on account of their gallant and noble behaviour in the encounters between the Saxons and Danes, long before the Conquest…’ We alone were not conquered by William the Norman. And right down through the centuries to today we have a wonderful record of volunteer military service and of seeing off would-be invaders.
Throughout that time until 1908 the Lieutenancy played a key role in raising Kentish forces and organising the defence of the County – and we still retain strong links with our Armed Forces today. A century ago this month the Territorial Force – later called the Territorial Army – was formed from the Yeomanry, Militia and Rifle Volunteers. Celebrating this great milestone is my Lieutenancy’s main initiative this year. But we are not forgetting that no fewer than one third of The Few who fought and won the Battle of Britain in Kentish skies, making eventual victory possible, were Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Nor are we forgetting that down here in Kent we claim we invented the Royal Navy through the Cinque Ports!
It would take a book to record the service and exploits of Kent’s Territorial soldiers, many of whom made the supreme sacrifice in World War I. Their tough Kentish spirit lived on during World War II. One outstanding example is the epic story of the 4 th Queen’s Own Royal West Kents who fought off the Japanese surrounding them at Kohima for 16 death-defying days. The unit, only 438 strong, held an entire Japanese Division at bay and stopped the invasion of India. Remarkably, it was the only TA infantry battalion that fought all three of our major wartime enemies, the Germans, Italians and Japanese, on three continents.
Another extraordinary example was that of Kent Fortress Engineers, a TA unit that sent groups of soldiers across to France at the time of Dunkirk and after, to blow up oil refineries and depots along the coast of Europe. More than 2,000,000 tons of oil was denied to the enemy and its destruction had a major effect on the decision not to invade England. Kent’s Territorial Army soldiers played a vital part in facing down the Warsaw Pact throughout the Cold War and the thread of service continues through to the important contribution they are making today in Iraq and Afghanistan. The TA used to be known by some as a force of last resort. It is now the reserve of first choice. The unit names may change and today the numbers may be smaller, but our TA soldiers are of the same tough Kentish stock.
In the words of the old recruiting slogan they are Twice a Citizen serving the Nation in uniform as well as holding down a civilian job. Our TA soldiers are a great asset to our County and the Nation – valuable and valued – and they deserve greater public support. Such service – and especially deployment on operations – imposes great strain on family relationships and on civilian careers. Yet they and their predecessors have always been – and still are – ready and willing to answer the Nation’s call. That is why it is so important that we recognise their service and sacrifice across the County during this Centenary year celebrations, including a joint Veterans Day and TA 100 event at The Historic Dockyard Chatham on Saturday 5 July, and other linked events at Penshurst Place, Maidstone and Dover. The highlight will be a parade and thanksgiving service attended by General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, at Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 6 September for all serving Territorials – and for veterans who have served over the years – and I urge the people of Kent to demonstrate their support.
Fact File
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Were you a Territorial or other volunteer reservist? If so, Kent wants to thank you!
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