Fears raised over future of Royal Anglian Regiment's battalion

Sir Bob Russell, Colchester’s High Steward, said he anticipated an announcement over the coming weeks from the Ministry of Defence over the future structure of the British Army.

He said he understood one of the infantry battalions thought to be among those “to be axed”, is the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.

Sir Bob said the “regional regiment” remains an important part of Colchester’s military history.

He said: “Are any of the Essex Members of Parliament doing anything to stop not just the overall reduction in the size of our Army but specifically halving the size of The Royal Anglian Regiment?

“At a time of growing unrest in the world – and with both Russia and China flexing their military power in a menacing fashion – the UK should not be reducing the size of its Armed Forces.

“The Royal Anglian Regiment was created about 60 years ago through the merger of eight County Regiments from ten counties, including Essex.

“At that time The Royal Anglian Regiment had four regular battalions, the 3rd and 4th have already been abolished.”

This week Colonel Richard Kemp, a retired British army officer who lives near Colchester, told the Daily Mail the Army faces a manpower crises because of “poor pay, inadequate living conditions and the outsourcing of recruitment.”

He said: “While recently the army has taken major steps to resolve undermanning, the damage of the previous decade is so serious they face an uphill struggle.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The British Army achieved its target for infantry recruits last year and continues to actively recruit.

“We already publish quarterly personnel statistics and are confident the Armed Forces have both the numbers and capabilities required to protect the UK from today’s threats.

“The Integrated Review is considering future threats and capability requirements, but has not yet completed and any reporting about Army force structure is merely speculation.