The Desert Rats begin the next chapter

A new flag is flying high above the Army’s newest Brigade – 7 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East.

The Brigade has been formed by the merger of 7th Armoured Brigade ‘The Desert Rats’ and 49 (East) Brigade and marks a return to the UK for the ‘Desert Rat’ insignia.

Members of the new Brigade will easily be identifiable by the insignia that has been transferred from 7th Armoured Brigade. The Brigade had been based in Germany and has formally stepped out of its armoured role into that of an infantry role. The Polar Bear insignia of 49 (East) Brigade has been placed in hibernation.

Unique ethos

Military and civilian staff gathered outside the Brigade’s Headquarters at Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell, where they were formally addressed by Brigadier Jonny Bourne, the Commander of the new Brigade.

He said:

“We, the newly formed 7 Infantry Brigade and HQ East, feel honoured to have the responsibility of being the custodians of the combined histories of 49 (East) Brigade and 7th Armoured Brigade.

“At a point in time when the Global situation is as precarious as it has ever been in recent years, and the challenges facing our Army demand that we evolve, we are taking this new Brigade into a role that is profoundly relevant to the needs of our nation, at home and abroad.

“The famous ‘Desert Rats’ emblem has always been worn with pride. We consider ourselves privileged to be entitled to wear it now and are determined to make our mark in this, the next chapter of the celebrated history of the ‘Desert Rats’.

“It is our intention, from the outset, to take forward a unique ethos and build it into the new 7 Infantry Brigade and HQ east. The spirit lives on in us – Regular soldiers, Reservists and Civilians.”

Army 2020

The merger of the two Brigades into 7 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East is part of the structural changes made under Army 2020 that sees the formation of seven Adaptable Force Brigades made up of paired Regular and Reserve units.

7 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East will undertake a wide range of tasks including providing units for operations, standing commitments (e.g. Cyprus and the Falkland Islands), overseas Defence Engagement (working with partner nations) and UK civil engagement.

The HQ will be in command of six units including 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment based at Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore.

It will also assume Regional Point of Command responsibility for the 12 counties across the East Midlands and East Anglia Anglia (Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Rutland). This was previously undertaken by 49(East) Brigade. In addition it will have command responsibilities for the Army Cadet Forces in the region.

The Brigade will also be charged with supporting and commanding regional military contributions to resilience operations such as the flood relief efforts of last year.