The Prince of Wales has celebrated his 40th anniversary as Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment by watching a spectacular Red Devils display at Merville Barracks in Colchester.
Wearing his tropical service dress and the Paras’ maroon beret, Charles joined hundreds of families, friends and old soldiers at the barracks, part of Colchester Garrison, for a day of events.
Everyone sat around the parade ground as the Parachute Regiment freefall team – The Red Devils – fell to earth.
The seven serving paratroopers trailed red smoke behind them as they hurtled to the ground, before landing gracefully around a target on the ground.
They carried a commemorative flag as a present for the prince and after making their parachutes safe presented the memento to him.
The team also revealed Prince Harry – Prince Charles’ youngest son – had been training with them and was “a natural”.
In a speech to the assembled parade, The Prince of Wales said: “When I was appointed to the position (of Colonel-in-Chief), I felt I couldn’t look your predecessors in the eye, or even dream of wearing the red beret, without doing the parachute course.
“This freed the cat among the proverbial pigeon, but in the end I was allowed to join parachute training course 841A at Brize Norton.
“In those days, you started by having to jump out of a creaking basked suspended below a balloon. This was particularly testing on the nerves as it was like jumping deliberately out of a doorway at the top of an 800ft building, with the anchoring cable disappearing, usually, into a layer of cloud that obscured the ground.”
The heir to the throne also watched a march-past of the four battalions in the Parachute Regiment, inspected the men on parade and presented awards to some of the regiment’s long-serving members.
Included in the inspection was Pegasus, the Regiment’s mascot Shetland pony.
Before leaving he was shown displays of some of the equipment used by the soldiers and took the wheel of a Jackal armoured vehicle bristling with firepower.
Since the prince took on the role in June 1977, the Regiment has deployed on operations in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Iraq, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Macedonia and Afghanistan.
The Prince added: “Over the last 40 years I have seen lieutenants rise to generals and sons follow fathers into the Regiment, and doubtless grandsons now.
“During my long association with this famous Regiment you seem to have been constantly on operations all around the world. I value so much the chance to be with you all today to mark that loyal service to Queen and country, for which you are all owed a great debt of gratitude.”
During the visit he also had a private lunch with soldiers, veterans and the families of paratroopers killed on operations.
The 2nd and 3rd Battalions are based in Colchester and are part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, the British Army’s airborne rapid reaction force.
Lieutenant General John Lorimer KCB DSO MBE, Colonel Commandant of The Parachute Regiment, said: “It is a huge honour for The Parachute Regiment to have His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as Colonel-in-Chief.
“Over the 40 years since he took on the role, Prince Charles has played a central role in all aspects of the Regiment’s life.
“This event has been a wonderful occasion to gather together as a regimental family – veterans, serving soldiers and families – to celebrate this significant milestone for the Colonel-in Chief and show him the capabilities of The Parachute Regiment.”
Among those present with awards by Prince Charles was Sergeant Steve Smith, of 3 Para, who was presented with a CGS Commendation.
Sgt Smith, 42, has served for 23 years, including five tours of Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Afghanistan.
He was also a member of Great Britain’s 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympic bobsleigh squads and now coaches the Para team, which has won the Army championship every year since 2013.
He said: “It is a proud moment to receive an honour in any occasion, but to receive it from the Colonel-in-Chief was a privilege and an honour.”
Also presented with a CGS Commendation was Corporal Victoria Rae, who serves with the Royal Medical Corps attached to 2 Para.
During a diving expedition in December 2016, Corporal Rae gave lifesaving treatment to an Egyptian sailor who was slipping into a diabetic coma.
Her citation said: “Corporal Rae is an extraordinary individual who has quickly earned the respect of all ranks across the battalion for her professionalism as a medic and her stoicism as a soldier.
“Her direct intervention in Egypt saved the life of the boat’s captain and therefore safeguarded the rest of the crew.”
Corporal Rae said: “It was my job, there were no meds on board so I had to think quickly and massage honey and jam into his mouth.
“I have loved my time here, it is like a big family and they have made me feel welcome.”
Corporal Michael Davies, of 2 Para, was presented with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal after 15 years of service.
He said: “It was a great honour.”
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