MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (056/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 1
April 2008
Cannons were fired
in celebration today in each of the nation's capitals to mark
the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army (TA) and launch
TA100 - a major campaign to acknowledge the contribution of
Territorial soldiers since 1908.
To celebrate the centenary, HM The Queen - patron of TA100 - has
sent a birthday card and message of thanks and congratulation to
every member of the Territorial Army.
TA100 will highlight the significant changes to the TA's
role and purpose over a century of service. A series of high
profile events and commemorations will take place throughout 2008
in communities across the UK.
Founded by Richard Burdon Haldane, Secretary of State for War, on
1 April 1908, Territorial soldiers were first engaged in active
service during World War 1. The London Scottish were the first
deployed TA unit in Flanders and the first TA unit to go into
action at Messines (part of the First Battle of Ypres) on 31
October 1914. Having served in both world wars, Territorials have
since served with distinction in Aden, Kosovo, Bosnia, the Gulf
and Afghanistan.
Speaking from the Tower of London, The Secretary of State for
Defence, Rt Hon Des Browne MP, said:
"This 100th anniversary year is a great opportunity to
praise the contribution of our Territorial Army and celebrate 100
years of excellence and commitment. Our TA100 campaign will pay
tribute to the Veterans who have played such an important role in
that success. It is also a chance for the nation to say
'thank you' to the men and women serving currently who
are so vital to our Defence effort - both at home and overseas. We
also owe employers thanks for the support they show to the TA."
Chief of the General Staff (CGS) Sir Richard Dannatt
said:
"Today the TA continues to make a significant
contribution to operations as it has done throughout its 100 year
history. Territorials receive the same training and equipment as
their Regular counterparts and, even as we speak, are sharing the
demands and rewards of operational service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Elsewhere they continue to provide a vital link between the
Army and Society, helping to explain the subtleties and challenges
of contemporary military activity. These are challenging times for
all of us and for the TA, but if its history teaches us one thing
it is the ability of this highly regarded and dedicated force to
evolve and strengthen according to the circumstances of the day."
Thousands of employers across the UK support the TA within their
workforce, from small family-run businesses to large multinational
companies. Since 2002, SaBRE (Supporting Britain's Reservists
and Employers) has been working with employers, of all sizes and
sectors, providing support and information regarding the benefits,
rights and obligations associated with employing a member of the
Reserve Forces.
Speaking on behalf of TA employers, Anne Minto OBE, Group
Director, Human Resources, Centrica plc said:
"Without the support of employers like Centrica, the TA and
other Reserve Forces simply couldn't operate to their full
potential. This was as true in 1908 as it is today.
"At Centrica, we are committed to supporting our Reservists.
As an employer, we recognise the skills and experience that
service in the Reserve Forces can bring to our employees,
particularly in areas such as leadership, teamwork and thinking
under pressure. But we also support the Reservists because, quite
simply, we believe it is the right thing to do.
"Supporting Reservists in the workplace can be a challenge,
particularly for small businesses, but employers should be
reassured that advice and support is available through SaBRE to
help them, particularly when employees are mobilised."
2008 is also the 100th Anniversary of the Reserve Forces'
and Cadets' Associations (RFCA). These regional Associations
play a very important role in supporting and promoting the
Volunteer Reserves of the three services and the Cadet
organisations within the community, employer support and support
to recruiting as well as delivering property and facilities
management. The RFCAs provide that vital bridge between the
Reservist and the Community
A number of national and regional events will take place during
the year, acknowledging the RFCA's 100 years of support.
Speaking at the TA100 launch, President of the Council of RFCAs,
Lord Freeman, said:
"RFCAs provide a vital support network throughout the
country. And their work is only possible thanks to help from some
8,000 volunteers. In today's society it is refreshing to be
associated with such a high degree voluntary effort, which is
sustained at the sacrifice of much personal leisure."
Notes to Editors
1. Feu de Joie (celebratory cannon firing)
TA artillery regiments equipped with 105mm Light Guns conducted a
simultaneous firing in each of the Nation's capitals at
11.30am today. There were three guns in each location, all firing
four rounds at ten-second intervals.
London
Location: The Tower of London
VIP Guests: The
Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Des Browne MP:
Sir
Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff (CGS)
TA Regiment:
The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC)
Edinburgh
Location: Mills Mount Battery, Edinburgh
Castle
TA Regiment: 105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
Cardiff
Location: The National Assembly for Wales (The
Senedd)
VIP Guest: The First Minister for Wales, Rt Hon Rhodri
Morgan AM
TA Regiment: 104th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
Belfast
Location: Carrickfergus Castle
VIP Guest:
Brigadier George Norton, Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade
TA
Regiment: 105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
2. TA100 Celebrations throughout 2008
This centenary year will be marked by the following national
events and many regional events, details of which can be found on
the TA100 website http://www.TA100.co.uk
3 April National Army Museum - Exhibition, TA100 Book
Launch
15 May St Paul's Cathedral Service - City March
& Guildhall Luncheon
21 June National TA Pageant - Horse
Guards Parade
21 June National Reception - St James'
Palace
10 July TA100 Royal Garden Party - Buckingham
Palace
13 Sep Armed Forces Memorial - Service and Parade.
3. In depth information and facts and figures about the
Territorial Army can be found in the online TA100 media centre at
http://www.TA100.co.uk.
This includes statistics about TA people, women in the TA, TA
history, deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, famous Territorials,
the role of the TA, awards and achievements, welfare, family
support, mobilisation, the cost of the TA, TA pay, and employer support.
4. SaBRE - Supporting Britain's Reservists and
Employers
SaBRE (Supporting Britain's Reservists and
Employers - http://www.sabre.mod.uk) is a
Ministry of Defence campaign which aims to build support for
members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces (VRF) from their
employers. It does this by explaining to employers the benefits,
rights and obligations associated with employing a member of the VRF.
5. Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations
(RFCA)
RFCA is formed of 13 semi-autonomous tri-Service
Associations, deliver support (£113M in 07/08) promoting the
Volunteer Reserve Forces of all three services within the
community through liaison with local authorities, employers, trade
unions and other influential groups. The Presidency of each
Association is held by Lord Lieutenants on rotation.
In
addition to publicity responsibilities and a significant advisory
role in the recruitment process for the TA and Cadets, RFCAs have
responsibility for managing all Territorial Army centres and
tri-service Cadet buildings and many training facilities. RFCAs
link the Services with communities, work places and institutions
from which the Reserve Forces and the Cadet Movement volunteer,
providing local knowledge, continuity and support from members who
are long term community representatives familiar with and
prominent in their area. They promote Defence in general and
nurture the goodwill, understanding and support of the population
- essential to the military volunteer concept. They reinforce
support and administration by harnessing civilian expertise and
skills and they support welfare, especially for those who are
operationally deployed.
6. The video of the Task Force Commander in Afghanistan is
available on the Defence News Imagery website, http://www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk
7. Useful Links
TA100 - Information about the TA, TA100 and case studies
http://www.TA100.co.uk
SaBRE - Support for Britain's Reservists and Employers
http://www.sabre.mod.uk
RFCA - The Council of Reserve Forces and Cadets' Association
http://www.rfcacouncil.org.uk
One Army Recruiting - information on joining the Territorial and
Regular Army
http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk