Duke of Kent sees off soldiers embarking on deployment

The Duke of Kent, as Royal Colonel of 1 Rifles, was on hand to view a parade of soldiers embarking on a two-year deployment to Cyprus.

The parade took place as Chepstow, just days before they were due to depart. The battalion was based at Beachley Barracks and will return to Wales in 2025.

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Oliver said: “Cyprus is a hugely significant location for the UK, sitting as it does on the nexus of three continents, with Turkey around 50 miles to the north, Syria and Lebanon approximately 70 miles to the east and Egypt 240 miles to the south.

“Whilst there, we will be asked to do a number of important tasks, including security for the strategic military sites and critical national infrastructure.

“We will also act as the Regional Standby Battalion, based at high readiness to act as a versatile, forward-based, acclimatised infantry battalion able to undertake a wide range of short-notice, low-threat, niche or small operations, primarily focused on the Middle East and North Africa.”