Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, Royal Colonel 5th Battalion The Rifles is spending two days visiting her Battalion in Paderborn, meeting the wives and children of soldiers deployed on operations in Iraq and some of those who support them.

As a family Regiment, The Rifles take great pride in looking after their families and soldiers and particularly during periods of separation.  The Countess’s visit was arranged when she spoke to the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Chamberlain, during her last visit to her Battalion in September 2008.

“On her last visit Her Royal Highness was very interested to know how we supported the battalion, and particularly our families, in Germany.  Her offer to visit the Rear Party whilst we are deployed in Iraq has given us a terrific opportunity to show her how we do it, from the every day business of the provision of schooling and jobs to medical and welfare support. 

Her visit emphasises the importance placed on maintaining a secure homebase.  It is a real morale boost to those at home as well as those deployed in Iraq.  We are honoured that HRH is paying another visit so close on the heels of her last one, and we are delighted that she has been able to devote so much of her valuable time to the Battalion’s Rear Party, our wives and children and those in the Garrison Community that support us.”

The current deployment to Iraq is the Battalion’s fourth.  Many took part in the 2003 invasion and it is therefore fitting that they will be the last to leave when the British commitment comes to an end later this year.  However, four tours in 6 years is tough on the families as well as the deployed soldiers. Consequently, the Battalion leaves a Rear Party behind when it deploys to provide support to the families that ranges from children’s parties to ensuring that there is always someone to talk to.  For some of the younger wives having Regimental Family support, particularly when living in Germany away from immediate family, is crucial to making 6 months of separation manageable.

In addition to Battalion’s home grown support the Garrison also provides additional help, facilitating the work of agencies such as Homestart and Relate, and providing assistance through Service Charities and agencies such as SAAFA, Hive and the Army Families Federation.

The Countess of Wessex will visit schools and meet pupils whose fathers are serving with 5 RIFLES.  She will also have the opportunity to meet some of the Garrison medical staff and the German hospital consultants who support them. 

Her Royal Highness will attend a reception in the evening for the Young People of her Battalion.  As one parent deploys it is often the teenagers of the family that ‘step up to the mark’ and take on more responsibility around the home.  The reception will recognise this and provides the Young People with an opportunity to talk to, and share experiences, with Her Royal Highness.