PWRR section commander and PTI honoured with Kohima Day award for service in Cyprus
A corporal has been chosen as the best Junior Non-Commissioned Officer in 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.
Corporal Archie Galbraith was picked as the Kohima Corporal for his exemplary and outstanding leadership.
The award was made as a Kohima Day parade was held at Episkopi Garrison in Cyprus to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Second World War battle with Japan.
A competitive spirit
The rest of the JNCOs cheered as Cpl Galbraith raised the Kohima Cup in the parade square outside battalion headquarters.
"There's a lot of competition in this battalion," he explained. "There's some really good NCOs and soldiers so it's an absolute honour and I'm very happy with it."
The 31-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent serves as the battalion Physical Training Instructor and boxing coach, as well as a section commander in A Company.
"Joining the Army was something I always wanted to do, to fight for the country and the royal family," he said.
"To now serve with the Union Flag upon my arm is a massive honour."
Corporals' day with the trench-takers
As the corporals' regimental day, Kohima Day recognises all JNCOs in 1 PWRR.
"Every single person in this battalion is important," said Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Alex Cherry. "But today we reflect on the centrality of the Corporals' Mess."
The CO shook hands with the Kohima Corporal, handing him the cup in front of the battalion.
"In a warfighting context they would be the absolute front end of the battalion – the trench-takers as I call them," he said.
"They're commanding the people that would ultimately lead us to success on the battlefield."
The Battle of Kohima and Lance Corporal John Harman VC
The battle of Kohima was one of the fiercest in the Second World War, taking place in India.
PWRR's antecedent unit, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, fought against the Japanese between April and June 1944.
Lance Corporal John Harman of 4th Battalion was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroism during the battle.
"We reflect on the actions of our forebear regiments," said Lt Col Cherry. "We link all that to the future."
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