Best beans and bullets

Mar 10 2008 By Steve Johnson

ATTENSHUN! The country's newest Army regiment was launched in the Midlands at the biggest event in the military calendar.

More than 100 officials and soldiers dressed in military regalia marked the formation of the 159 Supply Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps (Volunteers) with a parade at West Bromwich.

Commanding Officer Neil Llewellyn, from Bridgnorth, said the regiment would combine the best talent to supply "everything from bullets to beans."

The regiment will comprise around 670 TA soldiers and consist of four existing units, one of which is already based in the town.

The new regiment's Honorary Colonel, Major General Alan Hawley, the director-general of the British Army medical centres, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark its creation.

"I always get a buzz when I come back up to the West Midlands so it is wonderful for this regiment to be set up here in the heart of the country," he said.

Soldiers forming the new regiment will come from the 237 Brigade Support Squad in West Bromwich, 123 Ammunitions Squadron in Telford, 125 Rations Squadron in Glasgow and 216 Brigade Support Squadron in Tynemouth in the north-east.

Under the changes, the Telford and Glasgow units will keep their current roles. In the other two units, half will become drivers and others will work in supplying, accounts and similar roles.

The new regiment's training major, Richard Harris, said: "Physically all the soldiers will stay where they are currently based, but the headquarters will be in West Bromwich."

A blue macaw was chosen to bring good luck to the new regiment. Every soldier in the new regiment will wear a badge depicting the bird on their arm.