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thomas davison

The Black Watch and other historic regiments 'face being wiped out' under Government defence cuts
By Leon Watson
PUBLISHED: 05:26, 8 May 2012 | UPDATED: 11:41, 8 May 2012

Some of the British Army's most historic regimental names could disappear under the Government's controversial defence cuts, it emerged today.
Those deemed to have bolstered their ranks with too many Commonwealth troops will be targeted for reorganisation, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond signalled.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, he confirmed some entire infantry and armoured units will be scrapped, while others merged.
Black Watch bag piper Paul Colville of Glasgow, Scotland, plays during a memorial service for soldiers killed in Iraq
Those most at risk include famous names such as the Black Watch, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

He also claimed earlier reforms in 2005 effectively did away with the names, and said the Black Watch was now generally known in the Army as 3 SCOTS.
A senior defence source told the Daily Telegraph that the names would go between now and 2014.

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It is a move that has prompted an angry backlash from former commanding officers, politicians and service families.
Under the new system, the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), would become just 3 SCOTS.
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlands, if it survives the cuts, would become solely 5 SCOTS, and the Royal Highland Fusiliers would be 2 SCOTS.
Men of the Black Watch Regiment answer a role call 1918 on their way to action in France during World War One

Soldiers of the Black Watch on patrol with the regiments Warriors during Op Tel-El-Kabir, Iraq, in 2004
It is understood that The Highlanders (4 SCOTS), and the Argylls, are the most likely candidates for abolition, with a decision expected by the end of the month, although there are also concerns about the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, a tank regiment based in Germany.
Mr Hammond said the most vulnerable units were those that failed to recruit only in the UK, and made up the numbers from Fiji, the Caribbean and elsewhere.
The Coalition cuts will see the regular Army reduced from 102,000 personnel to 82,000 by 2022 - its lowest level since the Boer war at the end of the 19th century.

Veterans of the Black Watch wearing combat armbands as a mark of respect to comrades who have lost their lives in Iraq at the Cenotaph in Whitehall
'Clearly the Army can't get smaller by 17 per cent without losing some units,' said Mr Hammond.
'I can't say to you that there will be no loss of battalions in the infantry as we downsize the army. We are looking at the options in the army and the armoured corps.'
An MoD spokesman said: 'A review of the future structure of the Army is ongoing and no conclusions have yet been reached.
'As General Sir David Richards, Chief of the Defence Staff, has stated previously, the Army is confident it can meet its target of 82,000 by 2020.
'This is in line with the agreement between the Defence Secretary and the Chief of the General Staff for a gradual move towards the new Army structure so operations are not adversely affected by necessary changes.'

We could get rid of them all and ask Pakistan to defend us, after all they have just bought 3 Submarines and fighter Planes from China with the help of our Foreign Aid money

So basically we're being told that your country isn't worth fighting for and those who made their sacrifices in the past should be forgotten. Word to the wise the people and their values can only be pushed so far ! ! !