Paratroopers and their families gathered at Colchester Barracks yesterday afternoon to mark the 75th anniversary of one of the country’s most celebrated battalions.
The 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) was formed in September 1941, and after 14 months carried out the operation to capture Bone Airfield in Tunisia in November 1942.
And after a remarkable 75-year history of serving across the world, a special parade, combat demonstration and family day was held at the barracks.
3 PARA’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Geoff Hargreaves said: “Today has been a wonderful occasion for 3 PARA to celebrate the battalion’s 75th anniversary and our proud history.
“What our paratroopers have achieved on operations since the battalion’s formation in 1941 sets the standard that we expect of today’s soldiers in their role as the British Army’s airborne spearhead.”
Joining current armed forces personnel for the occasion were veterans from 3 PARA’s previous campaigns.
Veteran Brian Parker, 82, who was in the battalion from 1952 to 1956 serving in Egypt and Cyprus, said: “It’s really special to come back for this anniversary and meet the current lads.
“They’re the same calibre of soldiers as we were and doing the same job, just with different kit and weaponry.”
Following 3 PARA’s first mission in Tunisia in 1942, the division saw out the Second World War in Italy and Arnhem.
The unit then went on to carry out counter-terrorism operations in Palestine and Cyprus during the post-war years and the British Army’s last parachute assault in the 1956 Suez Crisis.
Other notable deployments included 13 occasions in Northern Ireland between 1971 and 2004, the Falklands conflict in 1982, Iraq in 2003 and three tours of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province in 2006, 2008 and 2010-11.
The battalion also proudly celebrated its two posthumous Victoria Cross winners – Sargeant Ian McKay for “outstanding selflessness, perseverance and courage” at the 1982 Battle of Mount Longdon and Corporal Bryan Budd for his “inspirational leadership and supreme valour” during heavy fighting in Afghanistan in 2006.
Current Para Private Reece Munnery, 21, from Cornwall, added: “This is a very proud day for 3 PARA, because the battalion’s 75 years of history makes us what we are as a unit today. As paratroopers we’re aware of the operations the unit has served on and that background motivates us to work hard to maintain the high standards.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here