Alice Cooke spends some time with her local regiment, newly returned to Sussex
The Tigers are back in Sussex. But before you retreat to a place of safety, these are not the stripy, sharp-toothed variety, but rather those of the 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, also known as The Tigers, who are moving back to Eastbourne after 20 years away from the town.
The 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (3PWRR) is the Army Reserve Infantry Battalion for the south east of England and is operationally focused, often having Reserve officers and soldiers deployed supporting the regular army.
While visiting their Battalion, I was lucky enough to be able to get a taste for what it’s all about, by trying on some of their kit (startlingly heavy), shooting some of their weaponry (very exciting, but I was told I wasn’t nearly aggressive enough and wouldn’t make it very far out in the field), and taking a look at all the new equipment that they’ve now been issued with, under the Government’s new 2020 plans for the British Army.
While speaking to local members of the unit, I encountered some who have recently returned from overseas operations in both Afghanistan and Cyprus. Soldiers in the Battalion take time out from their normal civilian jobs, which are protected by legislation, to experience life at the sharp end of the British Army’s work. The Battalion has bases all over the south east and they train every Wednesday evening.
B Company or Royal Sussex Company is an infantry rifle company that is operationally focused, having deployed over 150 of its soldiers to operational theatres in support the Regular Army since 2003. They are based in Brighton and Eastbourne.
But life in B Company is not all about training, I am told that the social life is great and there are lots of opportunities for sport and adventurous training. If you show commitment, the Company can offer you courses in skiing, sub-aqua diving, sailing, parachuting, canoeing, mountaineering and more. 3 PWRR also has its own football team.
Serving with 3 PWRR as an officer or soldier gives you life skills and qualifications that will help you progress in your civilian career. If you show the potential, there is the opportunity to rise through the ranks and you could find yourself in command of infantry soldiers or you could take one of the many specialist management routes available.
Many of B Company’s people regard the Army Reserve as an important second career. Some have been with the Company for years and have trained and served all over the world.
For more information, call B Company at Eastbourne 01323 635419, or Brighton 01273 563401.
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