From Pirbright To Windsor: Army Personnel Move To New Home In Style

Personnel from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards have moved to their new home from Pirbright.

Leaving Elizabeth Barracks early on Thursday, troops cycled eight of the 15 miles to Combermere Barracks in Windsor with the battalion flag.

Runners were then given the flag to complete the remainder of the journey on foot.

1st Battalion is replacing the bulk of the Household Cavalry Regiment, who are moving to Salisbury Plain.

Windsor will be a fitting spot for the battalion, given their ceremonial role of guardians to the royal family.

Drill Sergeant, Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Heath explained the poignancy of the day: "We have real history with Elizabeth Barracks.

"In 1982 we deployed to the Falklands Islands conflict, last year we deployed to Operation Toral 6 in Afghanistan – and many overseas exercises.

"To exit properly, as we are now, really does matter."

After the flag swap between the cyclists and runners went smoothly, those on foot were tasked with transporting the flag to the gates of Windsor, with five minutes of change-over-time before the flag was raised.

The runners were given just an hour to complete their leg of the journey.

"We compete quite a lot in the Army Championship, so we are quite confident that we will achieve that time," says Warrant Officer 1st Class Michael Parry, Regimental Sergeant Major.

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Llewelyn-Usher, Commanding Officer of the battalion, said he was happy with the their new home: "It is fantastic, we were at the back-end of a sleepy little hollow in Pirbright.

"The guys are going to have a much quicker transition, from finishing work on a Friday, to being home.

"The opportunities around Windsor are phenomenal and we're hoping to take every opportunity while we're here."

At Combermere Barracks, the ceremony took place seeing one flag lowered and then replaced with that of the new tenants.

Up next for personnel are ceremonial duties, plus intensive training in Kenya and the Falklands.