Minden Day parade delayed, but brings in new award for PWRR out in Cyprus
Minden Day may have come late for the soldiers of one infantry battalion – but they made up for it by introducing a new award for their more junior members.
The soldiers of First Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment marked Minden Day a month later than usual, as they had been travelling to the Mediterranean island on the actual day.
The battle dates back to 1759, but for the first time, the Tigers introduced an award called Minden Private, given to those soldiers emulating the qualities of their forebears who fought in the famous battle.
Minden Privates
Picked from each company currently deployed to Cyprus, the Minden Privates award recognises their contributions to the battalion over the last year.
The handing-out ceremony was accompanied by the music of 1PWRR's Corps of Drums.
"We're excited for sure. It is good to get recognised as a private soldier," said Private Harry Brown, one of the award recipients.
"It was a shock, to be honest. This is the first time the battalion has given out awards to private soldiers."
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Zorab, the Commanding Officer of 1PWRR, said: "We take the time to remember these honours.
"First, to recognise the sacrifice those soldiers made, whose legacy we now continue, but also to inform our behaviours, drawing on their example and courage to face our challenges today.
"The contribution they made to the Tigers' DNA is incredibly important and must be recognised and remembered in this way."
Alongside the Regimental Sergeant Major, Lt Col Zorab was behind the introduction of the new award.
He explained to BFBS Forces News why he felt it was an important addition.
He said: "We felt it was right to recognise the talent, hard work and accomplishments of arguably the most important group of Tigers, the private soldiers.
"I can assure you, having attended the selection, it was fiercely fought."
Battle of Minden
The Battle of Minden, which took place 265 years ago on 1 August 1759, saw a mistake in command pit infantry soldiers against heavy French cavalry.
Some 41,000 British and Prussian troops faced 51,000 French and Saxon soldiers in northwest Germany.
Despite the odds, and fears that the order would sign the death warrants of hundreds of men, the infantry overcame their enemy and won the day.
British units across the world celebrate the memory of the battle every year, with regiments wearing different coloured flowers in their headdresses to mark the occasion.
The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment honours their antecedent regiment by wearing red roses on parade.
Earlier this month, The Royal Anglian Regiment honoured the bravery shown at the Battle of Minden by wearing a red flower in front of a yellow one.
The red colour symbolises bravery and blood, while the yellow symbolises dishonour and, worn together, the flowers mean death before dishonour for the Royal Anglian Regiment.
'Super proud'
With the entire battalion gathered on the parade square, the whole 'Tigers Family' were invited to look on as the awards were presented.
One of those in the audience was Rachel Dawson, a family member, who said: "We're super proud of all the soldiers, especially the husband.
"We want to say thank you again to the band. It's never long enough, we watch it and we always want that bit more from them, they did amazing."
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