Friday 6 February 2004 saw the last official
military duty undertaken by the Regiment before going into suspended animation.

“Fire the what RSM, Sir?”

“The Royal Salute Sergeant Major.”

“Not wanting to speak out of turn sir, but isn’t that what Gun Bunnies do sir?”

“Not anymore son. Now sort it out.”

You may ask why 22nd Regiment Royal Artillery was asked to fire a Royal Salute in the capital of Wales, Cardiff. One of the reasons was this would be the last official military duty that the Regiment would undertake before going into suspended animation. The second reason; the title ‘Welsh Gunners’ was awarded to the Regiment in 1967 after the then 22nd Air Defence Regiment Royal Artillery fired the Royal Salute on the occasion of His Royal Highness Prince Charles being granted the title Prince of Wales. So what a befitting way to bring the Regiment and its title of the Welsh Gunners to an end.

Normally this honour would fall to 100 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) who are based in Newport and without their expertise, guidance and support the successful firing of the Royal Salute would not have been possible.

It started with, letters to RAGTT (UK) requesting help and a course was hastily convened. It was an outstanding success, with the GTT SMIG’s WO2 Corrigan and WO2 Jones turning 30 ‘cloud punchers’ into respectable Light Gun operators in five

days. The next problem how to fit 30 strapping Welshmen and women into the three sets of Blues which the Regiment

owned! However with half the Royal Regiment on standby (especially 104 Regt RA (V)) and many a dodgy tailor in tow, the deadline was met .... just.

With all the training completed it was back to the Regiment for the forthcoming disbandment parade. For most of the salute party this was a major event and most had key parts to play. With the successful completion of the parade came seven weeks POTL post Cyprus and NI To unwind and study drill books relentlessly.

On Wednesday, 4 February, with everyone in one piece and ready to go, it was the start of two days of rehearsals, inspections and late nights brushing up on skills learnt seven weeks earlier. The rehearsals at Cardiff Castle were quite memorable, especially for the various tourists visiting the Castle in the pouring rain. So the sight of our four gun detachments being expertly drilled by WO2 (SMIG) Blanchette from RAGTT (UK) certainly brought a cheer to what was initially a very dreary day. With rehearsals complete to the satisfaction of WO1 (RSM) G McIntosh (now WO1 (RASM) G McIntosh) it was off for an early night in preparation for the Royal Salute.

Friday, 6 February saw the Royal Salute. With everyone safely in place at Ty Llewellyn TA Centre and final preparations and inspections complete, some inspirational words from the RSM set the scene for a very successful day for the Regiment. Meanwhile all the Regiments Officers and Warrant Officers and many other members past and present were congregating in the Angel Hotel for pre-salute drinks and to greet the inspecting officers. As this was taking place the Guns were being escorted through the streets of Cardiff and being brought into position in the Castle ready for the salute. So with all the guests in place and the Guns in position there was nothing that could spoil what was to be a very important day for the Welsh Gunners. The Salute Group marched on to the Royal Artillery Band playing and adopted detachments rear. Then the senior serving saluting officer Brigadier Cholerton (Commander 160 Bde) and the Lady Deputy Mayor of Cardiff inspected the troops. With this complete all that was left was to fire 21 rounds starting at precisely midday. It was then with some surprise that Cardiff Fire Brigade came racing into the Castle sirens blazing, thinking that it was on fire. False alarm! However this did not detract from the occasion merely adding to the guest list with all the fire-fighters joining in with the guests to watch.

Post salute drinks were then taken in the Mansion House where all guests were invited back to celebrate and in some cases commiserate the last official duty 22nd Regiment Royal Artillery (Welsh Gunners) were ever to carryout. That evening a dinner night was staged for all senior Warrant Officers and Officers of the Regiment along with the main guest, Major General J Milne CB (Regtl Hon Col).

It was then onto the coaches early next morning for a trip to Bedwas Rugby Club for a past verses present thrash in the mud otherwise known as a game of rugby. It is at this point that I would like to thank all of the past team. For some had travelled from Germany and remote parts of the country. This just goes to show the support for the Regiment that is still felt. The game itself probably would not have featured on Sky Sports but for all those that were involved it was certainly rather entertaining. With the present team eventually running out winners 49 – 15. Even if the past team did have twenty players on the pitch for the last ten minutes of the game! With half the Regiments chefs on duty at the club no one went hungry after the game. Washed down with a few well-deserved beverages the stories of amazing tries scored from ones own 22 started to flow. This was to be a perfect finish to the end of an era for 22nd Regiment Royal Artillery (Welsh Gunners).

In summary there are too many people to thank individually for making this period in the Regiments history so successful. But on behalf of the Regiment and all its members a debt of gratitude is definitely owed to all that assisted and supported this important time for the Regiment.

^ top

When I planned this reunion, I asked how many the venue could hold, I was told up to 140, and so full of hope sent out information to the membership, initially the response was good, but then tailed off.

In the end I went firm at a figure of 75 with the venue with 83 turning up on the night.

But although the venue only had just over half its capacity, the evening was a resounding success due to the members who had come. It was they that made the evening the success that it was, and my thanks to them.

I was a great pleasure to see so many faces from the past, most of whom I recognised, some, I am afraid, I needed a little prompting with, made all the more embarrassing as they obviously knew me.

The venue supplied a superb buffet, which I am afraid the members did not do justice to, though to be fair, I suspect they didn't want to slow their talking down by filling their mouths with food. - Mike Hall

^ top

This was a day that I (and I suspect, many members) weren't looking forward to; it was a very sad day, though carried off in true military style.

The members attending the parade congregated in the Sgt's Mess for a warm drink. Though with the day being very clear and very, very cold, hot water bottles would not have been amiss.

Come the time for the parade every one congregated at the 12 x 12 erected by the square, some of the seats had blankets, those lucky enough to grab one had some protection from the elements. Though having the chairs on grass proved to require a little body management to stop them sinking. I did notice that the more overweight of us seemed to sink faster than others.

It was nice to see the 40/70 Bofors on the square, like many others bought up on the sounds of ‘Held', ‘Elevate' and ‘Make Safe', I have many memories of getting into action and ‘camming up' with this gun and it's associated FCE7 and 27 ½ KVA Gene. So to see it on this final parade made the day all the more poignant.

The parade like so many other seen and participated in, followed a set pattern. Each part looked forward to the more the colder I got. But then the part of the parade that I and so many others were not looking forward to, that of ‘Sunset' and the lowering of the Regimental Flag for the final time on a Regimental parade, in speaking to other members and Officers and men from the Regiment, I know that my eyes weren't the only ones that turned a little dewy at that moment.

In fact I was so caught up in this moment, I omitted to take a photo of the occasion, so if someone did, I would be grateful for a copy.

Just before the final ‘March Off' Old Comrades and other ex-service organisations were called out to line the exit road and as the Regiment marched through the two lines of Old Comrades, the members clapped and applauded the Regiment.

Finally we all made our way to the Gym for a hot drink for which there was a queue, or for the ready poured beers for which there wasn't.

There was a lot of mingling and getting a last few words before leaving and starting the long drive home, a sad day? Of course. But as with all thing military, well organised and lots of good memories to take away. - Mike Hall

^ top