Mr Hoon has announced that he has decided to 'dismember' the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment (RGBW).

No infantry regiment has been disbanded since 1945, no precedent for this exists.

He announced that the 'Glosters' element of the RGBW is to merge with the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, whilst the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment (DERR) element is to merge into the existing two battalions of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. Seventy five per cent of the RGBW were never in the Glosters or the DERR, they have joined since 1994.

This decision was reached despite a huge amount of support. The regiment was delighted to have this strength of support and wishes to thank everyone who gave it.

The Army Board decided that the only criteria to be used in deciding where the cuts should be made was 'sustainable manning'. The Director of Infantry carried out a study for the Army Board based on historical manning over the last ten years. This took no account of the situation facing those regiments formed ten years ago such as the RGBW. The study was then 'adjusted' to remove those regiments that it was felt could not be cut but this did not also remove regiments formed ten years ago. Little account was taken of 'retention'. The RGBW should have been excluded given that it is regarded as "an exemplary infantry battalion" and has the third best retention rate of any battalion in the infantry. Neither is it the worst manned regiment.

The RGBW now needs to do two things. The 1st Battalion must stay operational; the changes are not due to take place until 2006 at the earliest. The battalion will move from Hounslow to Chester in August. They will, therefore, continue to recruit officers and soldiers and offer young men the opportunity to serve in one of the best infantry battalions. We need everyone to help to spread the message that it is 'business as usual'.

The House of Commons defence committee has begun to investigate the cuts. The RGBW needs to argue that the cuts in the infantry are wrong and to persuade the committee to recommend a re-examination of the decision. The argument against reducing the infantry needs to be made in every possible forum until commonsense prevails. We believe it vitally important that MPs continue to be lobbied by their constituents, particularly in advance of an election.

MAJOR GEN (RETD) RD GRIST

RGBW

Commercial Road

Gloucester