MONMOUTH MP David Davies has written to Defence Secretary Philip Hammond urging him not to rush into a decision over the future of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards.
The regiment, also known as The Welsh Cavalry and regarded as the most senior British frontline force, could be disbanded and amalgamated with another brigade following a UK Government review of British Army operations.
Mr Davies, a former member of the Territorial Army, described the proposals as a “slap in the face for Wales” and for those who recently served with the QDG in Afghanistan, where two soldiers lost their lives.
“The QDG draws its troops from Wales and the borders and has given outstanding service to the people of Britain,” he said.
“It is one of only three cap badged regiments in Wales and is the sole Welsh armoured corps regiment, whereas there are six English armoured corps regiments, two Scottish armoured corps regiments and two armoured corps regiments with Irish recruits.
“Furthermore, the QDG is one of the best recruited regiments in the armoured corps and is fully manned. Surely it would make sense to cut a regiment that is struggling to man itself over one that is well recruited?”
Mr Davies voiced his concerns in Parliament during a debate on the Queen’s Speech on Thursday (17th May), when he asked the Chancellor to bear the history of the QDG and the regional connections with Wales in mind when final decisions are taken.
“In Wales the public sector is very large and the Army forms a large part of that sector,” he said.
“I am worried to learn of proposals to amalgamate the Queen’s Dragoon Guards with another regiment.
“ Many Welsh people are employed in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, which is an excellent regiment.
“Since the battle of Agincourt, Wales has supplied men and women who have fought loyally for Britain, as I would have been happy to do in the Territorial Army - although I saw no active service. I hope that the Chancellor will bear that in mind when the decisions are made.”
A full transcript of David’s speech is available via Hansard - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm120517/debtext/120517-0002.htm#12051737000001