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Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire
From ARRSEpedia
Known as the 'Yorkies'. Like to keep ferrets. The parent regiments of 1 PWO were formed on the same day in 1689.
The 1st Battalion, Prince Of Wales's Own Regiment Of Yorkshire (1 PWO) was formed on 25 April 1958 by amalgamation of the 1st Bns of the West Yorkshire Regiment (14th of Foot, Prince Of Wales's Own) and the East Yorkshire Regiment (15th of Foot, Duke Of York's Own).
The major battle honours of Imphal and Quebec were adopted for the new unit, and the Regimental Quick-March of both Regiments (Ca Ira - WYorks, and Yorkshire Lass - EYorks), were both adopted as the Regimental Quick March.
First overseas posting for the newly-formed unit was Aden (September 1958 to June 1959). This was followed by Gibraltar (June 1959 to June 1961). The battalion served in Wuppertal from 1961 to 1964, Berlin 1964-1965, then Aden from September 1965 till September 1966. The 1st Battalion was based at Roman Barracks in Colchester from 1966 till 1969.
The year 1967 saw some interesting tasks, including deployment of operational elements to Cornwall to assist with the clean-up following the Torrey Canyon oil-spill disaster, and a return to Aden in June after the mutinies by the Federal Police and Federal Regular Army.
The battalion finished their hallowed Geddes Cup inter-platoon skills competition, before deploying to Aden at 48 hours notice. By the time they arrived in-country, they had been training at high pressure for over a week, and were in the right frame of mind for top military performance.
After distinguished service in Aden, which saw the deaths in action of 2 soldiers, as well as the awards of one Military Cross one Military Medal and a Mention In Despatches, the battalion returned to Colchester in late 1967.
The battalion then entered a period of quiet consolidation, including training in American-inspired Sky Cavalry concepts from the Vietnam War. In April 1969, the battalion flew to Ulster as part of the UK Government's response to terrorist attacks on infrastructure in the troubled province.
1 PWO's presence and constant patrolling of vital points stabilised the situation in the operational area of County Down. On 12 July, sectarian violence led to a rapid redeployment to Londonderry. Decisive action by the Royal Ulster Constabulary stabilised the situation, and the battalion moved to a tactical base at Magilligan's Point, further north. On 12 August, the violence erupted in a concerted campaign which, after nearly three days of street battles, saw the RUC exhausted and defeated. On 14 August 1969, 1 PWO - on behalf of the British Army - took over responsibility for the security of Londonderry.
From February 1970 to October 1972, the battalion were based in Cyprus, and returned to the UK in 1972 for another tour of Northern Ireland, ending in November 1973.
