Regimental Birthday & Ball
The 58th Birthday Parade and associated activities were attended and supported by many both from with and external to Defence. The Parade and celebrations were all conducted successfully.
The next Ceremonial activity to be conducted by 1st Armoured Regiment will be a dismounted Cambrai Parade to present the Regimental prizes and awards.
Information about Cambrai Parade will be provided shortly.
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Cambrai Day
The Battle of Cambrai has a special significance in the history of armoured warfare. On the morning of November the 20th 1917, around the small northern French town of Cambrai, tanks were used for the first time "en masse" following a new tactical doctrine devised by the staff of the newly formed tank corps. Success or failure here was to be the decisive factor in whether or not to continue with the unorthodox new weapon system code-named "tank".
"At 0610hrs three hundred and seventy six tanks, led by their commander, Brigadier General Elles, riding in a Mark 4 tank named 'Hilda' crossed the start line. The initial advance made on that bleak day in 1917 was one of the most substantial of the war and clearly established the future for the tank".
The centrepiece of the Regimental badge depicts a Mark 4 tank of the type used at Cambrai. The success of tanks at Cambrai was the justification for the motto selected by the corps "through mud and blood to the green fields beyond" and is epitomised by the brown, red and green striped flag carried on "Hilda" by General Elles. 1st Armoured Regiment has proudly adopted these colours, and commemorates Cambrai Day each year with a parade.