Bombardier Warren GOURLEY . Drawing the majority of the enemy fire, with rounds splashing around him, Lance Corporal Leakey overcame his fatigue to re-site the gun and return fire. Colour Sergeant Colin Beckett, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, on operation in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, 2008. Colour sergeant is a rank in the Foot Guards regiments of the Canadian Army, specifically in the Governor General's Foot Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards and also previously in The Canadian Guards. the newer members of the unit. We have lost a trusted and valued colleague, who will be They are responsible for the unit both in the field and when stationed in barracks. British soldier, Victoria Cross recipient, Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, "Victoria Cross awarded to lance corporal for Afghanistan rescue", "Paratrooper Joshua Leakey becomes Britain's first living holder of the Victoria Cross", "Hero braved Taliban fire again and again to rescue comrade", "Victoria Cross awarded to former Witham Hall pupil Joshua Leakey", "Victoria Cross for gallantry in Afghanistan awarded to former Christ's Hospital pupil", EU military staff chief revisits place where his father served, "Para awarded Victoria Cross 70 years after cousin", "Family's pride at second VC award 70 years on", "Military courage recognised in Operational Honours List", "Paratrooper Josh Leakey receives Victoria Cross", "Who you're saluting: Corporal Joshua Leakey, VC", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joshua_Leakey&oldid=1143756902, British Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (20012021), British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross, War in Afghanistan (20012021) recipients of the Victoria Cross, Pages containing London Gazette template with parameter supp set to y, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 March 2023, at 18:07. James Stenner and Norman Patterson On reaching it, and with rounds impacting on the frame of the gun itself, he moved it to another position and began engaging the enemy. The regiment or corps is the key administrative component of the British Army. 20, from Wallasey, Merseyside. Major Stenner, whose father Alan also served in the SAS, won his MC for operations as a troop commander in D Squadron, one of the two sabre squadrons sent to Iraq to take part in last year's military offensive. RM 2E74BXR - Sergeant Jonathan Garcia of the US Army's Alpha Company, 2-508 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, detains a man during a patrol near the village of Khersak in Arghandab District, north of Kandahar July 9, 2010. British Fatalities, Op TELIC 1 : 2003 : The Invasion Wikipedia, A Men of 13 PARA (TA) march past Field Marshal Montgomery, Colours ceremony, Liverpool 1953. Joshua Leakey - Wikipedia Appointments include conductor and regimental sergeant major. Lee Fitzsimmons "Sgt Patterson was a greatly respected and extremely popular member of the Cheshire Regiment, admired not only for his professional excellence but also for his great humility," he said. List of British gallantry awards for the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Profits from all sales made through our shop go directly to Support Our Paras, so every purchase you make with us will directly benefit The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces. Patterson, from Draycott in the Clay, and his colleague, Its soldiers are trained to be resilient, disciplined, versatile, aggressive in battle and self-reliant. Sgt Eddie Collins was buried with Full Military Honours. Weighed down by over 60 lbs of equipment, he ran to the bottom of the hill, picked up the second machine gun and climbed back up the hill again: a round trip of more than 200 metres on steep terrain. Our thoughts are with his family and friends". He won the respect of all who met him for his leadership, enthusiasm and dedication. Below are just some of our members who have served at Parachute Regiment. He excelled as a young commander with both The Parachute Regiment and The Highlanders, and was deeply respected by those he led." This page is not available in other languages. "The thoughts of his many friends in the regiment are with his family for the loss of such a proud soldier and dedicated son," he said. "The Battalion will hold a private memorial service in Iraq. He was one of many who were killed or Sources suggest he had been recommended for a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross after single-handedly killing six insurgents during a separate raid in the southern Iraq capital only weeks earlier. The officers of 2 nd Parachute Battalion would normally have punished anyone guilty of these military crimes. I don't know what height it was. Two other SAS members, Major James Stenner and Sergeant Norman Patterson, were killed in Baghdad on New Year's Day 2004 in a car crash. Trooping the Colour parade at attention, Barrosa Square,Aldershot 1958. Prince Charles at the Colours Presentation, Queen's Avenue, Aldershot, 1998. The Princewas accompanied at the ceremony by The Parachute Regiments Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer. A major commands a company, squadron or battery, normally around 150-200 men. Learn more about the organisation of the British Army and the tactical formations it has deployed on campaign. The Airborne Shop is the official shop ofSupport Our Paras (The Parachute Regiment Charity RCN1131977). He led from the front with a quiet authority and The remaining items include Initially the blouse looked too good to be a righteous original. A "Significant" WWII Parachute Regiment Colour Sergeant's Best Battledress Blouse & Other Airborne & Special Forces Insignia Periodically, even less frequently in recent years, significant examples of WWII British Special Forces uniform items and insignia briefly come on to the public market. Colours Presentation, Queen's Avenue, Aldershot, July 1998. WO2 Lee Hopkins was an outstandingly professional soldier, who embraced the challenges of his profession. A lance corporal usually serves as second-in-command of a section. On 26 February 2015, Leakey was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest military decoration awarded for valour in the United Kingdom. Colour Sergeant Mark Lawrence Powell, of the Parachute Regiment, who was killed in Iraq when two Puma helicopters crashed in Iraq on Sunday, 15 April, 2007. We are the largest and fastest growing community of UK forces veterans on the web with over 500,000 members! The latter role is usually performed by a retired general officer who has responsibility for the protection of a regiments interests. Colourised by Paul Reynolds. Canadian colour sergeants are addressed in the same manner as their British counterparts. Staff Sergeant Paul J Bilingham. We are devastated. Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Lee Hopkins, 35, of The Royal Corps of Signals, joined the British Army in 1988 and spent his entire career in the Royal "Bright, enthusiastic and immensely popular, Private Ellis displayed all the qualities of a first class Paratrooper. Sergeant Jonathan Stuart Hollingsworth CGC, QGM Operational Honours and Awards List: 24 September 2010 Colour Sergeant: Parachute Regiment: 6 Apr 2001: Sierra Leone (Operation Barras) MacFarlane, Iain James McKechnie: Squadron Leader: Royal Air Force: 6 Apr 2001: . Lee Fitzsimmons and John Battersby The Parachute Regiment. The explosion triggered a response from the other forces. "His full participation in regimental life, professionally, socially and on the sports field made him the embodiment of the regimental soldier. Some also have specialist roles. Private Lee Ellis was born on 24th January 1983. Additionally, there is a billet of Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps, a sergeant (E5) who is the Commandant of the Marine Corps' ceremonial representative and the platoon sergeant of the Marine Corps Battle Colors Detachment. Pte Lee Ellis, killed in Iraq. This is the senior enlisted soldier within a platoon or troop, acting as a second-in-command. Sergeant Chick Dempster leaps clear of the aircraft as below him his son Steven's parachute begins to open at the RAF Abingdon Parachute Training. During ceremonial events, it is from a colour sergeant that the ensign collects the colour of the battalion or regiment. On 15 July 1974 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II presented the second Colours to all three regular battalions of The Parachute Regimentand the first colours to the 4th (Volunteer) Battalion. National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HTRegistered Charity Number: 237902, Sandhurst, officers and the role of history. Field Marshal Montgomery inspects men of 13 PARA (TA), Colours presentation ceremony, Liverpool 1953. Trooper Fitzsimmons was 26 when he died. Browse 4,956 parachute regiment photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. 1 Ceremonial Dress, on which a special rank . Every addition carries pages dedicated to the Parachute Regiment Association and a Yearbook dedicated to the PRA. Royal Marines. [4], The Ministry of Defence summarised the reasons for awarding Leakey the Victoria Cross as follows:[16]. (For further information on the 2nd Parachute Battalion which was formed in 1941 and amalgamated with the 3rd Para Bn in 1947 please click here. ) [4] From their vantage point, his section could see the attack and heard over their radio that someone had been injured. The Parachute Regiment is the airborne infantry regiment of the British Army. Andy was quiet but confident and likeable. Sgt Patterson as a "natural leader" and the "embodiment" of a regimental soldier. British Airborne Forces - parachuteregiment-hsf.org OBE Lieutenant Colonel James Michael COWAN MBE, of Warminster. "As we got there, we were told we were going to requisition the [SS] Canberra to bring it back to England, [to] Southampton for the troops to board and it to be used as a troop ship.". To date, there have been about 60 awards of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, including three posthumous and one unit award. He will be sorely missed by all those who were privileged to serve with and know him. On 19 June 1998 replacement colours were again presented to the three regular battalions at Aldershot. Tuesday 20th November 2007. shining example to all. If provenance can be further established the blouse Ted Dent at the Colours Presentation to 1, 2 and 3 Para, Queens Avenue, Aldershot, July 1998. To this author 2 PARA march off Barossa Square after Trooping the Colour, Aldershot 1958. Robert Hallsworth SERGEANT - TELECOMMUNICATIONS Served from 1968 - 1977 Served in Parachute Regiment John Victor Proffitt L/CPL Served from 1964 - 1967 Served in Parachute Regiment Roy Drummond PRIVATE Served from 1956 - 1959 Served in Parachute Regiment Chuck Russett Private Lee Ellis was not only a comrade but a close friend to many. [5] He is the son of retired RAF officer and former director of the Armed Forces Christian Union, Air Commodore Mark Leakey, and his wife Rosemary, an occupational therapist. responsible. Andrew remains alive in our thoughts and memories; it will always be so.". The 179 British personnel who died during the Iraq War Corps of Signals. The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross ( CGC) is a second level military decoration of the United Kingdom armed forces. 'He was an exemplary Combat Leader, soldier, father, husband, friend and Briton, dedicated to his family, his men, his mission and his country. Officers salute at a parade for 216 Parachute Signals Squadron, Colchester, 2008. Infantry Service Company . The family of the other man who died. * Colour Sergeant Martyn Simon Horton, 34 . Warrant officers do not have a commission. The King and Queen with officers of 3 PARA, Aldershot 19 July 1950. Detailed Organization, American Parachute Infantry Regiment, Infantry He was very polite and carried out his job in the professional manner expected from a member of the British Army on operations. Colour sergeants are referred to and addressed as "Colour Sergeant" or "Colour" ("Colour Sergeant Hewitt" or "Colour Hewitt", for instance) in the Army, or as "Colour Sergeant" or "Colours" in the Royal Marines, and never by the more junior rank of "Sergeant". JULY . Brian Faulkner left his job as a Yorkshire miner and joined 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, rising to the rank of Colour Sergeant. British heroes lost in Afghanistan 2001-2012 | UK - Express The Airborne Shop is the official shop ofSupport Our Paras (The Parachute Regiment Charity RCN1131977). character, wicked sense of humour, infectious enthusiasm and his ability to thrive on challenge. The troops trained hard while on board, but they thought the war might not happen. Below are just some of our members who have served at Parachute Regiment. On the obverse of the medal, the circular medallion in the centre depicts St Edward's crown. [15] His actions inspired other soldiers to join in the fight back. From 1 October 1913, British infantry battalions were reorganised from eight companies to four, leaving two colour sergeants in each new company. Presentation of Colours 1950 'Devils Get Their Colours'. In the saddle for the sovereign: King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery prepares for coronation, One of two remaining airworthy Lancaster bombers to fly over Europe for commemorative flight, King's Troop prepared in case of any coronation procession disruptions, RAF airlifted nearly 900 people from Sudan after ceasefire extended, British commander of Sudan evacuation says operation is fast-moving and dangerous, How the military stages a civilian evacuation, Cyber Security Operations Training Pathway, Technical Support Citrix and Virtualisation. planned six month tour in Iraq. Sergeant William Powell of the Grenadier Guards after the Crimean War, 1856. He was a wonderful, fearless and confident son, always well-mannered, Colour Sergeant Joshua Mark Leakey VC (born 1988) is a British soldier currently serving in the Parachute Regiment. Table of Organization 7-33. His rank badge is visible on his shoulder. The presentation of the Colours ceremony, 12 PARA (TA), Leeds 1952. They were killed when a roadside bomb exploded as they conducted a routine patrol. Presentation of the new Colours, 4 PARA, 1974. The two soldiers were driving inside the US-controlled "Green Zone" in Baghdad, where the SAS is understood to be stationed, when they crashed into concrete bollards installed to protect troops from suicide bombers, the MoD said. [4], While he was manning the machine gun, he was also shouting updates of the situation into his radio. sense of humour and sociable character made him a very popular member of the unit. Presentation of Colours to 4 PARA, Hardwick Hall, 30 July 2004. In infantry battalions, a CQMS is called a colour sergeant. Presentation of New Colours Commemorative Cover, 1974. Brian and all the others on boardsurvived the crash. Hardworking, professional and with an irrepressible sense of humour, he showed enormous compassion in his dealing with the local Iraqis he encountered, whether they were Police, civilians or children. "We set off on our TAB and it was a good old airborne 'snake' just one line going through," Brian explained. The Parachute Regiment | National Army Museum As a combat medic, Brian was attached to a Regimental Aid Post to defend it and assist the wounded. [3][4] Although the rank of colour sergeant was then abolished, the CQMS of an infantry company continued to be generally addressed as "Colour Sergeant" and the rank was later reintroduced, probably during the Second World War, with CQMS becoming an appointment of it. Some also have specialist roles. It is the equivalent to warrant officer; a colour sergeant wears the rank insignia of a warrant officer (a royal crown) on all uniforms except No. "WO2 Lee Hopkins was a dedicated family man who spoke often of his wife and young son. the second from the holdings of the Imperial War Museum. His keen Stenner, 30, and Sergeant Patterson, 28, originally of the Welsh Guards and the Cheshire Regiment, were killed in a road accident Booklet for the presentation of Colours to 17 PARA (TA), 1952. By creating an account you agree to us emailing you with newsletters and discounts, which you can switch off in your account at any time. however I doubt their budget could accommodate the current asking price ($7500.00 USD). Company Limited by Guarantee. The CGC was instituted in the aftermath of the 1993 review of the honours system. Members of Parachute Regiment | Forces Reunited Colonels normally serve as staff officers (responsible for the Army's administrative needs) at divisional level and above or in command of ad hoc groupings at sub-brigade level. Produced in full colour the Journal keeps serving and retired soldiers informed of news and events. A brigadier commands a brigade in the field or holds a senior staff appointment. They had been part of a team which had been investigating reports that insurgents had been collecting material from Salman Pak, a weapons site and laboratory during Saddam Hussein's time. The accident happened in the early hours of New Year's Day, 2003. The Pegasus Journal is the magazine of The Parachute Regiment and airborne forces and is published three times a year. He was serving with "G" Squadron 22 SAS, Sergeant Eddie Collins of the Parachute Regiment was killed in Action in Iraq on Wednesday 5 September 2007. Readers may want to refer to the following article in this blog for a set of detailed authenticity check-points on this formation badge; Periodically, even less frequently The term is used in the US Marine Corps as a billet for sergeants who carry the colours. By the mid-18th Century the use of a personal coat of arms was banned, and the number of Colours reduced to the Sovereigns Colour and the Regimental Colour, for most regiments. http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/p/british-militaria.html, A WWII Special Air Service beret badge and collar dog and, The reverse of the same group of insignia, Headquarters Signals, Special Service Brigade, Headquarters Company Special Service Brigade. The Black Watch. A former paratrooper Hollingsworth was twice decorated for his gallantry; firstly receiving the Queen's Gallantry Medal as a Corporal in Northern Ireland, and later the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross in Iraq. "WO2 Lee Hopkins was the ultimate professional. Make a donation to Airborne Assault ParaData to help preserve the history of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces. 32 year old Colour Sergeant Gordon Findlay, Company Quarter Master Sergeant of A Company . The Parachute Regiment Gallantry Award winners from Afghanistan 2002-2014, Colour Sergeant Scott RMcKenzieDavidson, Cpl Brian Budd on patrol, Afghanistan, 2006. 4,956 Parachute Regiment Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images in recent years, significant examples of WWII British Special Forces uniform more Its soldiers are trained to be resilient, disciplined, versatile, aggressive in battle and self-reliant. I always visit his grave when I go home. The Colours of the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. 407270, 'It's a real war': Veteran remembers Falklands conflict, Everything you need to know about British forces in the Falklands, Falklands War: Portsmouth Dockyard Workers Honoured, Falklands: The soldier's perspective - part one, Falklands cleared of landmines following 1982 conflict, A look at the Royal Marines' involvement in Sudan evacuation operation. From this time it was ordered that the Sovereigns Colour should be a form of the Union flag while the Regimental Colour was allowed to bear the colour of the regimental facings. A third SAS soldier, Nicholas Brown, 34, killed in a fire-fight in Baghdad four months ago, can also be named. 'He was an exemplary Combat Leader, soldier, father, husband, friend and Briton, dedicated to his family, his men, his mission and his country. 3 PARA's Colour Party for the Presentation of The Parachute Regiment's first Colours, Aldershot 19 July 1950. In September 1941, it was again officially re-designated 1st Parachute Battalion and assigned to the 1st Parachute Brigade. for calibrating authenticity in detail, affording at least a limited defense This author has done in-depth research regarding the specific designation; "NO 1 PARA REGT". The Colours of the 12th Parachute Battalion TA, 1967. Conspicuous Gallantry Cross - Recipients View this object. Field Marshal Alanbrooke presents the Regimental Colour to 10 PARA, Tower of London 1952. Colonel Matthew Lowe, the Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, said: The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) (Warrant Officer Class 2) 1993. The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) is a second level military decoration of the British Armed Forces.Created in 1993 and first awarded in 1995, it was instituted after a review of the British honours system to remove distinctions of rank in the awarding of gallantry decorations. al-Sadr's Mahdi Army. Colour Sergeant Stephen James REED, of London. Lance Corporal Josh Leakey VC, February 2015. Colour Sergeant Michael Taylor, Anti-Tank Platoon, Fire Support Commander attached to C Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, said: Company Sergeant Major Colin (Tom) Beckett - a. For this act of valour, Lance Corporal Leakey is highly deserving of significant national recognition.[19]. Colour Sergeant M L Powell and Sergeant Mark J McLaren killed in Iraq Sgt Hollingsworth reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during a raid to capture terror leaders in Basra and later died of his injuries at a nearby military hospital. Undeterred by the very clear and present danger, Lance Corporal Leakey moved down the forward slope of the hill, and gave first aid to the wounded officer. However, separate tiers of authority - warrant officer (WO) and non-commissioned officer (NCO) - exist within their rank structure. two genuine Combined Operations Formation Badges; the first being red "Even at school in Tavistock, he was single-minded about an Army career, knowing it would fulfil his ambitions for travel and sport. "His comradeship stood out; he was always willing to help others, and invariably did so with a smile on his face. Presentation of colours by King George VI to 1, 2 and 3 PARA, Aldershot 1950. All soldiers ranks are denoted by a title and a set of insignia. The following is a full list of recipients who have been Gazetted to date. the embroidery stitching on the back. embroidery on dark blue, and the second executed in gold bullion. [15], The skirmish lasted approximately 45 minutes during which 11 insurgents were killed and four wounded. This is the senior non-commissioned rank, with specialist roles in the technical and non-combatant services; in the combat and combat-support arms, responsible for discipline within the unit; and in war for its ammunition resupply and prisoner handling. Captain Richard Holmes Newspaper article on presentation of Colours to 10 PARA, 1952. items have established provenance they are also commanding respectable, i.e. Although their use in modern times is now confined to ceremonial activities, the Colours are one of the proudest possessions of a British Army regiment, and they are treated with special veneration.