REGIMENTAL
ROYAL GURKHA RIFLES NEWSLETTER FIRST BATTALION 1 RGR began 2021 with the Battalion deployed across Kent as part of Op RESCRIPT (part of HMG’s response to Covid-19). Op ROSE was the name given to the Cross-Channel Haulier Covid testing regime established initially in Kent and subsequently right across the nation in support of the civil authorities, following surprise changes to French Border entry requirements in December 2020. The Battalion was initially warned-off for a deployment to Manchester to conduct asymptomatic mass testing from 4 January, but on Christmas Day the Battalion (held at five days NTM)) were tasked to conduct Relief in Place (RiP) with UK Standby Battalions South 1 and 2 to become the Haulier Testing Resilience Unit (HTRU) no later than 28 December 20. This saw all 1 RGR force elements recalled from leave on Boxing Day to be back in barracks by 27 December for immediate battle preparation. Commanders’ recces followed on 28 December, and
the RiP began in earnest the same day, with the Transfer of Authority completed on 29 December. Lateral Flow Device Testing was conducted by Company groups at multiple sites; A (Delhi) Company with perhaps the most gruelling task on the M20 between Ashford and Maidstone during Operation STACK, B (Sari Bair) Company at Manston Airfield, C (Mogaung) Coy at the Port of Dover and Lydden Hill Racetrack, all supported by Support (Medicina) Coy and HQ (Burma) Coy. The Battalion was then ordered to establish ‘Upstream testing,’ and 1 RGR was reinforced by C Squadron of the King’s Royal Hussars to deploy alongside a temporarily reinstated D (Kandahar) Coy to establish 46 ‘upstream testing facilities.’ These were testing booths located at motorway service stations, stretching from Carlisle to Southampton. With testing successfully established and the backlogs in Kent significantly reduced, the Battalion handed Op ROSE over to the KRH in mid-January.
1 RGR soldiers conducting Covid testing on Op ROSE
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