C Coy 3PWRR was bestowed the honour of the “Freedom of Medway” by Medway Council at a special meeting on Thursday 25th January 2018.
The honorary freedom of the borough is the highest civic distinction that can
be conferred upon individuals or collective bodies in recognition of
outstanding service or particular civic association, ensuring the honourable
perpetuation of their memory within the community.
Our armed forces act in the highest traditions of our country in the conduct of
their Operations. Reservists and Regular servicemen and women share the
burden and risks associated with service, doing so in the most difficult
circumstances. The Army Reserve is the largest of the Reserve Forces, and
provides support to the Regular Army at home and overseas, and throughout
its history almost every major operation has seen reservists operate alongside
their Regular counterparts.
Kent and the South East is particularly honoured to have the Princess of
Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) stationed in its area. “The Tigers”, as they
are affectionately known, have a history dating back to The Buffs in 1572, and
then locally in the 50th of Foot (Royal West Kent’s) in 1756 which was the first
infantry regiment of the line, traditionally raised in Kent. This makes it one of
the most senior regiments in the British Army and has provided distinguished
service since then. After several re-organisations and mergers it was named
after Diana, Princess of Wales. The “Tigers” nickname harks back to one of
the predecessor regiments; the 67th South Hampshire’s who were awarded
the use of the image of a Royal Bengal Tiger on their colours in recognition of
their 21 years active service in India. They embody the virtues of courage,
self- discipline and loyalty. They have a fierce pride in their connections to the
south east of England.
Just before World War 1, the 3rd (Reserves) battalion of the Queens Own
Royal West Kent Regiment were formed as a training Regiment based in
Chattenden and then went onto Rochester in November 1914, and in the
summer of 1918 formed part of the Thames and Medway Garrison. The 9th
(Reserves) battalion were formed at Chatham and became part of the 93rd
Brigade.
In terms of individuals with a link to Medway whose achievements have been
recognised, six members of PWRR’s forbear regiments have been awarded
Victoria Crosses (VCs) in conflicts ranging from the Crimean War, through
WWI to WWII. These include Colonel Donald J Dean of The Queen’s Own
Royal West Kent Regiment who was awarded the VC near Lens in France
during WW1 and later became a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. As well as
Sergeant Thomas James Harris, also of The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent
Regiment who was born in Halling in 1892 and his parents both grew up in
Rochester. Sergeant Harris was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
after he and his section captured a machine gun position. He then single
handedly attacked a further two enemy machine gun positions, taking the first
before being killed by the latter.
Company C of 3 Battalion PWRR, the Army Reserve Battalion, have been
stationed at Fort Clarence in Rochester since 2006, and they continue the
proud record of achievements that include recent operational experience in
Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Regular Army and Cyprus supporting
the United Nations mission. Officers and soldiers of the Battalion take time
away from their normal civilian employment, to train every week and one or
two weekends each month as well as participating annually in a two week
training period. The links with Medway continue with 38 Reserves currently
coming from Medway with another 11 going through the recruitment process.
On behalf of the people of Medway, the Council wishes to express admiration
at the bravery, endurance and commitment of the servicemen and women of
C Company, 3rd Battalion. In recognition of the eminent services the men and
women of the Company have made to Medway, the Council is minded to
grant the freedom of Medway to C Company, 3rd Battalion of the Princess of
Wales’s Royal Regiment. This will cement and foster the close and
longstanding bonds of friendship and mutual respect existing between the
Company, Medway Council and the people of Medway.
http://www.serfca.org/Reserves/Army-Reserve/Infantry/C-Royal-West-Kent-Company-3PWRR
SERFCA 