The Friends of the Green Howards	The 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), D DAY - THE BATTALION'S AMALGAMATION PARADE (6 June 2006)

Lt Whitaker changing head dress		Officer's Mess Final Regimental Dinner Night 5 June 2006

Padre David Moss addresses the amalgamation parade		The 1st Battalion Green Howards Final Colour Party

The Commanding Officer salutes the Colours		The Drum Major, Cpl Elstob, leads the Bosnian Band and Colours round camp

The 6th June had been chosen to amalgamate into the Yorkshire Regiment and the day was now upon us. The Commanding Officer stood the Battalion down from operations for the day to enable all personnel not on essential duties to participate in the celebration of this historic day.

At 1030hrs precisely, the Colours were paraded around the road outside the metal factory at Banja Luka in Bosnia, home to the Battalion until the end of September, while the route was lined by all the officers and soldiers. The Drum Major, Corporal Elstob, led the Colours followed by the Bosnian Army band based in the local barracks in Banja Luka, who played the Bonnie English Rose quite superbly. When the Colour Party had completed the route the Colours were halted in front of the Commanding Officer who took the salute.

An hour later the Battalion moved into column of route and marched, led again by the Drum Major and band, to a forming up point located inside an aircraft hanger located in the base and manoeuvred into a hollow square formation, with officers to the front. The Commanding Officer addressed the parade, describing his own personal feelings when he first learned, 2 years ago whilst serving on operations with the Battalion in Afghanistan, that the Regiment would amalgamate. He spoke of his initial shock and sadness at the changes, but went on to say how impressed he has been by the attitude of all serving Green Howards towards the formation of the Yorkshire Regiment, and the way in which the Battalion accepted the change and has looked forward, not back.

The Regimental Padre, Padre David Moss then led the Battalion in prayers that included The Green Howards Regimental Collect. The Colours were presented and the Green Howards flag was lowered for the last time in unison with the sounding of the last post. A minutes silence was observed to remember all those who have served their country as Green Howards and to honour those who had given the ultimate sacrifice. Berets were removed and replaced, old with new, in a controlled drill movement directed by the Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 Paylor. The new Yorkshire Regiment flag was raised while Reveille called and the parade drew to a close with some final prayers for the new Regiment, including the new Collect for the Yorkshire Regiment. The band rounded of the morning with the first playing of Ca Ira, the quick march of the Yorkshire Regiment.

Once the ceremony and duty was completed those on parade enjoyed a communal barbecue before they changed into sports kit ready for an afternoon of potted sports. The competition had been organised by the Battalion’s APTCI, Staff Sergeant Gaul and was won by a B (King Harald’s) Company team captained by Sergeant White. The event was good fun and a great way to end the day. Once the afternoon’s activities were completed and prizes awarded, the Commanding Officer congratulated all present on a successful day. He concluded the afternoon by announcing the names of the first soldiers to be promoted in the Yorkshire Regiment; from Private to Lance Corporal; Privates Bandiera, McLaughlin and White and from Lance Corporal to Corporal; Lance Corporals Cooper, Mannion, Dillon, Evans and Hebbron.

PR