Last week 47 Regiment Royal Artillery (The Hampshire and Sussex Gunners) held a small parade at Larkhill to commemorate the change from their Royal Artillery headdress to that of the aviation light blue beret.

The change to the aviation beret, part of an Army wide move, is to recognise the technical nature of the Regiment's specialism and to strengthen Regimental identity and cohesion.

Colonel Jon Bryant, Corps Colonel of the Air Army Corps said:

“This changeover comes at the exactly right time for the Regiment as you have done a fantastic job developing and building your capability and by doing so achieving so much. I wish you every success in your light blue beret for now and into the future."

Currently soldiers from 47 Regiment are in Cyprus flying their Watchkeeper Unmanned Arial Vehicles.

PIPERS GALORE

With the arrival of the Queen’s Royal Hussars, there are now three military pipe bands in the Garrison. The QRH inherited their pipe band after the amalgamation of the Queen's Own Hussars and the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars in 1993 .

The Royal Tank Regiment and 19 Regiment RA have received new pipers fresh from the Army School of Piping in Edinburgh.

For the RTR, Troper Allitt was awarded Best Drummer, Trooper Harding achieved most improved piper and Troprer Pearson-Delamarr, best Highland dancer.

The RTR Pipes and Drums have had a busy summer, travelling to France, Colombia and Australia along with performances at numerous events. Most recently, the P's & D's wowed Singaporean, Malaysian, Kiwi and Australian allies with an example of their Regimental customs on Ex SUMAN WARRIOR 19.

SPORTS SHORTS

Staff Sergeant Ben Fulton, of E Battery, 1RHA had the honour of playing for the Harlequins in the Premiership 7s and was awarded Player of the Tournament at the Munich 7s last weekend.

In the Royal Artillery Football 6s competition, The Scottish Gunners men’s A team won the plate, and their women’s team (with only 5 players) won the women’s completion,

Five members of 26 Regt RA represented Gunner rugby Vs REME last week winning 20-17. Gunner Tawake of 176 (Abu Klea) Bty also represented the Army U23 Vs RMAS.