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1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards: Ray Scanlon in 'save regiment' call | 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards: Ray Scanlon in 'save regiment' call |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The father of a Welsh soldier killed in Afghanistan has called for his regiment to be saved from possible amalgamation. | The father of a Welsh soldier killed in Afghanistan has called for his regiment to be saved from possible amalgamation. |
L/Cpl Richard Scanlon, 31, of Rhymney, Caerphilly, from the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG), also known as the Welsh Cavalry, was killed on duty in Helmand Province last November. | L/Cpl Richard Scanlon, 31, of Rhymney, Caerphilly, from the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG), also known as the Welsh Cavalry, was killed on duty in Helmand Province last November. |
His father Ray spoke as the regiment prepared for two homecoming parades. | |
Earlier this month, defence officials said no decision about the regiment's future had been made. | Earlier this month, defence officials said no decision about the regiment's future had been made. |
The UK government has plans to cut the number of British troops from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2020. | The UK government has plans to cut the number of British troops from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2020. |
Earlier in May, it was revealed that a campaign had been launched to save the regiment after sources within it said they feared it would be merged with another regiment, and up to 500 soldiers sacked. | Earlier in May, it was revealed that a campaign had been launched to save the regiment after sources within it said they feared it would be merged with another regiment, and up to 500 soldiers sacked. |
At the time ministers said no final decision had been taken. | At the time ministers said no final decision had been taken. |
The QDG has recently returned from a seven-month tour in Helmand Province. | The QDG has recently returned from a seven-month tour in Helmand Province. |
L/Cpl Scanlon's father spoke as the regiment prepared a homecoming parade in Swansea. | L/Cpl Scanlon's father spoke as the regiment prepared a homecoming parade in Swansea. |
"For him to lose his life in Afghanistan and then the regiment to come back and find... they may be... amalgamated... is an insult," Mr Scanlon said. | "For him to lose his life in Afghanistan and then the regiment to come back and find... they may be... amalgamated... is an insult," Mr Scanlon said. |
"My boy would turn in his grave if he knew this was happening. | "My boy would turn in his grave if he knew this was happening. |
"These boys have just come back from serving in Afghanistan, lost two of their comrades and yet are finding out they might have lost their regiment." | "These boys have just come back from serving in Afghanistan, lost two of their comrades and yet are finding out they might have lost their regiment." |
Mr Scanlon said he believed the QDG should be saved, along with the two other existing Welsh regiments. | Mr Scanlon said he believed the QDG should be saved, along with the two other existing Welsh regiments. |
"Why take away another Welsh regiment after amalgamating the only other one - the Royal Welsh Fusiliers - and leave us going down to two?" he said. | "Why take away another Welsh regiment after amalgamating the only other one - the Royal Welsh Fusiliers - and leave us going down to two?" he said. |
He called for Wales' politicians to take the fight to the UK government. | He called for Wales' politicians to take the fight to the UK government. |
On Sunday, a service of remembrance will be held for L/Cpl Scanlon and Lt David Boyce, from Hertfordshire, at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff. | On Sunday, a service of remembrance will be held for L/Cpl Scanlon and Lt David Boyce, from Hertfordshire, at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff. |
The pair were killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Nahr-e-Saraj area. | The pair were killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Nahr-e-Saraj area. |
Meanwhile their regiment have paraded through Swansea on Wednesday, while Cardiff will also host a parade on Saturday. | |
Speaking beforehand Ioan Richard, Lord Mayor of Swansea, urged the people of Swansea to line the route to give the soldiers the welcome home they deserved. | Speaking beforehand Ioan Richard, Lord Mayor of Swansea, urged the people of Swansea to line the route to give the soldiers the welcome home they deserved. |
"Several of the troops are from the local area and this is a marvellous opportunity for family, friends and the general public to show how much we appreciate them," said Mr Richards. | "Several of the troops are from the local area and this is a marvellous opportunity for family, friends and the general public to show how much we appreciate them," said Mr Richards. |
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