Pictured:The Padre from 4th Infantry Brigade taking service of blessing in Richmond Castle.
Nearly 400 soldiers have marched from their barracks at Catterick Garrison on a four-mile route to Richmond Castle today (26/07/17) to receive a blessing before deploying to Afghanistan later this week.
The soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment based at Somme Barracks will take part in two four-month operational tours on Operation TORAL 5 - the first time they have deployed as a regiment to Afghanistan since 2012.
Photographer:
Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD Crown
Nearly 400 Yorkshire soldiers from Catterick Garrison marched through the rain to Richmond Castle to receive a blessing before deploying to Afghanistan later this week.
The soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, based at Somme Barracks, marched the four miles to the castle to take part in a Drum Head service conducted by their padre Captain Jonathan Wylie which concluded with a blessing for the departing troops.
The soldiers will depart on a split operational tour with each deployment covering four months which will take them right through to the Spring of next year.
Their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Humphris, told the soldiers more than 1,500 people had been killed in the capital Kabul this year and one of their main tasks was to help provide the security to reduce those numbers.
He said he knew everyone was very well prepared for the deployment having conducted numerous exercises in preparation and expected the Regiment to conduct a very successful tour.
“You should be very proud to represent your county as well as your country,” he added.
Brigadier Oli Stokes, Commander of 4th Infantry Brigade of which the Regiment is apart, said he followed their preparations for the tour over the last few months with interest and would take the deployment in their stride.
The soldiers bow their heads in prayer during the rain soaked blessing service in Richmond Castle. Photo:Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownThe Padre from 1 (UK) Division reading during the rainy service in Richmond Castle. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownFijian soldiers singing a poignant hymn during the blessing with the troops watching on. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownFijian soldiers singing a poignant hymn during the blessing. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownThe Padre from 4th Infantry Brigade taking service of blessing in Richmond Castle. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownThe Commanding Officer of 2 YORKS Lieutenant Colonel Sam Humphris MBE speaking to his troops during the blessing. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownThe Commanding Officer of 2 YORKS Lieutenant Colonel Sam Humphris MBE speaking to his troops during the blessing. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownThe Colours of the regiment laid out for the drumhead service in Richmond Castle. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownThe troops entering Richmond Castle to receive a pre-deployment blessing. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownThe soldiers marching up through Richmond to the castle in the rain. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD CrownThe soldiers marching into Richmond past the castle where they received a blessing before deploying to Afghanistan. Photo: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC / MoD Crown
