24th 25th February 2024, Resilience training with cooking competition.

As part of our winter resilience training we held a cooking competition with the aim of improving the quality of our catering in the field. It was won by SSgt Alison of Mounted Troop.

February 2024, Working with British Transport Police

The Legion has a strong auxiliary police tradition in the Commonwealth, especially Canada, as well as forming a City of London Mounted Police Reserve during and after the First World War.

We are honoured to be a community partner with the British Transport Police, the force that patrols the railway network on the UK Mainland. We provide volunteers who assist BTP with the training and assessment of recruit/student officers in their scenario training.

In an era of tight budgets, the police are making  increasing use of disciplined and motivated volunteers who can be relied upon to follow instructions, attend when asked and who understand the overarching purpose and goals  of a programme or exercise. This frees up regular officers by enabling Frontiersmen to role play as victims, witnesses or suspects or in search dog training exercises.

For the student officers, it will be the first time they have worn uniform, and they are assessed on their legal knowledge, “people” skills and custody procedures. With railway suicide being a major problem for BTP and Network Rail, force training also has a strong emphasis on suicide prevention and signposting the lonely and distressed to those who can best assist them.

The standard of recruits is impressive, and participation in their training is not only enjoyable, but gives Frontiersmen an insight into how the modern UK Police Service works, building up experience useful for future multi agency operations.

27th 28th January 2024, Exercise Stable Door

An outdoor exercise to test our ability to respond with the RSPCA on an animal rescue, testing the leadership ability of the attending Frontiersmen in planning, camp admin and first aid.

November 2023, Remembrance

Members of the City of London and Colour Squadron supported the AJEX (Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen) Remembrance parade, and Members of History and Archives Lay a wreath at the cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

12th November 2023, Remembrance Day Parade in Newham.

Sunday 12th November say The City of London and Colour Squadron parading at East Ham

9th November 2023, Opening of the Field of Remembrance.

Frontiersmen From many units attended the opening of the field of Remembrance by Queen Camilla where she paid tribute to and recognised the sacrifices of those who fought and died for their country. The Legion of Frontiersmen have a plot at the front adjacent to the guards, this is co-ordinated every year by History and Archives.

7th November 2023, ReKindling Service at Westminster Abbey.

Members of the City of London and Colour Squadron attend the Re-kindling Service at Westminster Abbey. Continuing our association with the Belgian Nation, which started in 1914 when Manchester Troop went over to fight in the First World War, joining the 3rd Belgium Lancers, and going into action in September 1914. We act as honour guard on this simple but moving service every year.

1st and 2nd November Assiting the Police and RSPCA with an animal rescue.

Mounted Troop and City of London and Colour Squadron of Countess Mountbattens Own Legion of Frontiersmen were asked to assist the RSPCA, Police, DogsWorld and other animal Charties in the rescue of 450 animals including 18 different species over two Wet and windy days. We provided First aid cover, traffic marshalling, bio security, food and drink for all the operatives. This is part of our ongoing relationship with the RSPCA.

10th September 2023 Frampton County Show – Skill at Arms Competition

Mounted Troop and their support team participated and won the skill at arms competition…more details to follow

2nd and 3rd September 2023 – Summer Nuts Challenge

28th August 2023 – Further work assisting the Felix Project

We continue to support food banks around London, Felix is one of the biggest and we spent the Bank Holiday delivering donations from suppliers.

24th July 2023 – Melton Mowbury Royal Tournament

On Monday 24th July 2023 a team of 3 riders – Cpl Paul Allison, Trooper Jerry Watkins and Trooper Phil Pembridge – represented CMOLOF Mounted Troop by competing at DATR (Melton Mowbray) at the Royal Tournament Tentpegging competition. They had a very successful day and came home with rosettes and prizes for their efforts. LOF Captain Emma Kraj was assistant judge alongside two others and LOF Cpl Rachel Imber did the scores, QMSI Nick Gibson managed ground crew. Although it was a wet start to the day, it didn’t put a dampener on peoples spirits the ground was good and the horses all ran well.

22nd and 23rd July 2023 – East London Hockey Club

Countess Mountbatten’s Own provided a team of 7 First Aiders and the Ambulance to support East London Hockey Clubs annual Hockey Festival. There were no serious injuries but a number of knocks and bruises to be dealt with.

8th and 9th July 2023 – Tewksbury Medieval Festival

Members of all units of UK Command attended The medieval Festival in Tewksbury over the weekend providing traffic marshalling, taking entrance monies and first aid cover on the event car parks and camp sites. A donation was made to the Legion of Frontiersmen for our work.

17th and 18th June 2023 – Legion of Frontiersmen Shooting Club at Bisley Ranges

One of the LoF Shooting Club’s visits to Bisley Shooting Grounds, the home of the National Rifle Association. A great time had by all. On the Saturday afternoon we shot at 300 yards then back to 600 yards on Century Range.

We used 3 rifles, An Accuracy International AW in .308 ,an Accuracy AX in 6.5 Creedmoor and a Desert Tech also in 6.5. Everyone shot well and seemed to enjoy themselves. At the end of the session we relaxed with a few beers in the Artists Rifles clubhouse on camp then out for a curry at a Nepalese restaurant in nearby Brookwood.

On the Sunday morning we had more of a challenge as we were shooting on the Stickledown range at 1000 yards but again everyone got on target and a decent number of bulls were scored. As you can from the photo a 1000 yards is quite daunting and scoring bulls about the size of an LP record at that range is quite an achievement.

11th June 2023 – Combined Irish Regiments – First Aid Cover

Countess Mountbatten’s Own Legion of Frontiersmen provide First Aid cover and support the Police security for this annual Remembrance Service for the Combined Irish Regiments, with hot weather we were very busy with people fainting and distributing water to prevent further problems.

1st June 2023 – New Zealand Command Annual Conference.

NZ Command held their annual conference at Katikati. As well as a social gathering, it included the Annual Conference including presentations, a command Dinner, a Church Parade and Wreath laying.

29th May 2023 – The Felix Project

Members of Countess Mountbatten’s Own legion of frontiersmen were asked with the Order of St. George to assist in the distribution of food for the Felix Project over the bank holiday, we were lucky enough to be joined by one of CMO Swedish Contingent.

14th May 2023 – Cavalry Sunday

14th May saw the Combined Cavalry Regiments hold their remembrance service at the Cavalry Memorial in Hyde Park, Each year we provide First Aid Cover in conjunction with St. Johns Ambulance, however this year we were on our own. we had to deal with a number of casualties due to the hot weather, but everyone was capable of going home.

29th to 1st May 2023 – Supporting the Lady Anjou Ride – Tewksbury

In collaboration with Mounted Troop we supported the Re-enactment of the Lady Anjou ride through Tewksbury, marshalling traffic, managing security and providing first aid cover over the long weekend. Mounted Troop also participate in instructing skill at arms with sword and lance.

4th and 5th March 2023 – Winter Nuts Challenge – Dedication of Frontiersmen Memorial

As one of our biggest sponsors, we support the Nuts Challenge with their logistics, marshalling and first aid twice a year, it was a popular task for two of our recently lost frontiersmen so we thought it fitting we would establish a memorial on the site. Our Frontiersman Padre, Revd. Capt. Kevin Jacobs dedicated the memorial on the Sunday after the activities had completed, on the memorial to date are Trooper Brian Florey, L/Cpl Tasharne Baptiste and Pioneer Sergeant Kevin Foulger

28th January 2023 – Memorial Service for Pioneer Sergeant Kevin Fulger

Following the sudden death of Pnr Sgt. Kevin Fulger, the family chose not to have a full funeral but we had a simple memorial service organised by ourselves and the local Royal British Legion of which Kevin was a member.

20th and 21st January 2023 – Jobbers Wood

Utilising land lent to the Frontiersmen, CMO held a fieldcraft training weekend including Bush craft and map reading.

11th November 2022 – Remembrance Sunday

All units paraded locally for remembrance. Here we include photographs of Central London, East London, Sweden, but there were many others.

8th November 2022 – Westminster Abbey Re-Kindling Service

Maintaining our Relationship with Belgium, The City of London and Colour Squadron provide a colour party and guard at the Belgium Ambassidors re-kindling of the eternal flame which will travel back to Belgium to symbolically relight their flame which was cruelly extinguished by the Nazi’s in the 2nd World War.

17th October 2022 – Ministry of Defence Abbey Wood

Members of Countess Mountbatten’s Own Legion of Frontiersmen Mounted Troop at MoD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol in a ceremony marking the contribution of the horse in WW1.

22nd September 2022 – Frampton Country Fair

Countess Mountbatten’s Own Mounted Troop participated in a skill at arms (sword, pistol and lance) competition, but due to the recent passing of the Queen declined uniform and wore black armbands.

8th September 2022

All members of Countess Mountbatten’s Own Legion of Frontiersmen were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, all of whom having sworn allegiance to and served throughout their time in CMO, her dedication and love for this country is admired by all and we strive to follow her path.

We send our sincere condolences to His Majesty King Charles III, and re-dedicate ourselves to his service.

3rd and 4th September 2022 – Summer Nuts Challenge

An on going commitment to Camelot Events who make a donation to us for Marshalling, Traffic Management and First aid cover for this arduous event, all units in the UK come together to support us over this weekend.

15th and 16th August 2022 – East London Hockey Festival

Providing eight Fist aiders to cover four hockey pitches for two days of East London Hockey Clubs Festival, we only had a couple of injuries that needed treatment and follow-up advice, but a great atmosphere at this very friendly club.

13th June 2022 – Combined Irish Regiments, Whitehall

Covering the Combined Irish Regiments Remembrance parade, Countess Mountbatten’s Own Legion of Frontiersmen provided first aid cover and assisted security to again a very hot parade with a number succumbing to the heat, luckily we had brought plenty of water to distribute. We provide this service to ex-servicemen parades for free, absorbing any costs.

8th May 2022 – Cavalry Sunday

in conjunction with St. John’s ambulance Service, we have been asked to provide First aid cover for this prestigious event which is always attended by the Royal Family. With hot weather we had a number of attendees faint including from the household Cavalry band.

29th April to 2nd May 2022 – Armour at the Abbey

Mounted Troop and Others from Countess Mountbatten’s Own Legion of Frontiersmen provided Traffic Marshalling, First Aid support as well as instruction for the riders and participation for this annual event in Tewkesbury.

22nd April 2022 – Mounted Troop Training at the HAC Light Cavalry

7th and 8th March 2022 – Winter Nuts Challenge

This year’s winter Nuts Challenge whilst being extremely cold coincided with Capt (LF) Jerry Watkins birthday

22nd January 2022 – Change of Commandant General

After an extended term due to the Corona Virus, Col. Nigel Peel stands down as Commandant General (CG) and the New CG, Col. Peter McMullan-Bell takes post, there was a dining in and out of the two respective CG’s with The Countess Mountbatten in attendance

11th November 2021 – The Field of Remembrance Westminster Abbey

Every year the Royal British Legion create a field of Remembrance in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. The Legion of Frontiersmen have a very prominent plot next to the guards and at the front for the Remembrance service.

10th November 2021 – Memorial to the return of the unknown soldier

Every year the arrival of the body of the unknown soldier at platform 8 on the 10th November 1920 is commemorated, Countess Mountbatten’s Own Legion of Frontiersmen attends this short service and sells poppies, parade the standard and lay a wreath

9th November 2021 – Rekindling Service Westminster Abbey

Despite the ongoing pandemic, The Belgium Ambassador attends the re-kindling service for the eternal flame to be returned to Belgium in time for Remembrance day. Countess Mountbatten’s Own Legion of Frontiersmen provide a colour party and guard.

21st October 2021 – Legion of Frontiersmen Shooting Club

The Legion of Frontiersmen Shooting Club at Bisley – We tend to go to Bisley once or twice a year and to comply with the NRA regulations and in particular the insurance requirements we do need to be careful. Attendees have to be a member of our club and have to be able to show they have held a Forces shooting competency card or attend one of the NRA’s probationary courses and obtain the NRA competency card.

5th October 2021 – British Red Cross Resilience Exercise

As part of our working with the British Red Cross our Liaison Officers participated in a Resilience Exercise with the BRC and others

12th September 2021 – Frampton Country Park

Mounted Troop compete at Frampton Country Park

6th and 7th September 2021 – Summer Nuts Challenge

The team at the nuts challenge, continue to support us with their donations for our Marshalling, traffic management and first aid support. https://www.thenutschallenge.co.uk

17th and 18th August 2021 – East London Hockey Festival

Covering 4 pitches for first aid

14th and 15th June 2021 – Fieldcraft Training

30th January 2021 – British Scandinavian Detachment ( Swedish Troop)

In these troubled times, with the pandemic tampering our activities, we need to try out new roads. The Legion of Frontiersmen in Scandinavia tried our first Teams meeting the other day.
Hopefully we will be able to do some training this way. Among other thins in radio communications and First Aid.
In the autumn we hope to be back with regular activities.

2021 – Corona Virus Vaccinations

Many Frontiersmen took the opportunity to assist the NHS with the Vaccination program as both Vaccinators and helpers throughout the year.

8th November 2020 – Remembrance Sunday

with no formal parades due to covid, Frontiersmen around the world made their own efforts to ensure Remembrance day does not get forgotten

 

2020 – Corona Virus

Frontiersmen throughout the command are assisting local authorities with the delivery of food, essential supplies and drugs to those who cannot get out of their houses.
As part of Barking and Dagenham’s response to the Covid19 virus, City of London and Colour Squadron have deployed to a local church which forms the hub of support for those who cannot get out. The council receive calls which they filter and forward to the Frontiersmen for their action. This will continue as long as is viable in these uncertain times.

15th and 16th September 2020 – British Scandinavian Detachment (Swedish Troop) Annual Camp

Due to Covid-19 late, Summer Camp in Sweden. We didn’t do very much formal training, but did some fun stuff. Among others clay pidgeon shooting and a 8 km walk in Store Mosse National Park. Rob also tried to teach us some rules of cricket!

June 2019 – Barking Fire

Having a large number of the City of London and Colour Squadron living in the borough of Barking and Dagenham when some were requested to assist the Red Cross, we were able to provide a team and an ambulance for the immediate response in providing clothing, food and shelter for the victims of this disaster. The Frontiersmen provided continuity over the week after the disaster as well as providing financial support. One of our members story can be read here:

July 2019 – Review

The Legion of Frontiersmen spent a day demonstrating their Frontiersmen skills, including First Aid, Skill at Arms on Horseback and other equestrian skills a lecture on the History of the Frontiersmen, followed by a parade and medal presentation.

 January 2019 – Frontiersmen called to assist RSPCA on major operation

Following previous successful operations with the RSPCA (see below, we provided Frontiersmen from City of London and Colour Squadron, Mounted Troop, Home Command and Welch Command for this operation. Asked at the last moment, we were able to assist with Bio Security, Traffic Management, Catering and other Services on an ad hoc basis, to the RSPCA, Police, Fire Brigade and various animal charities. Our previous experience with working with horses continues to make us a useful asset to the emergency services.

August 2018 – Dining in of new Patron

On the 5th August 2018, we dined in our new patron Lady Penelope Knatchbull the 3rd Countess Mountbatten of Burma in the Mountbatten Room, The Royal Automobile Club.

June 2017 – Death of our Patron

It is with heavy heart we have to announce the death of Lady Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma who died on 13th June 2017 aged 93.

June 2017 – Grenfell Tower
In Conjunction with the British Red Cross, members of Countess Mountbatten’s Own Legion of Frontiersmen who were also Red Cross volunteers assisted in the collection and distribution of clothing and necessities to those who had suffered in this disaster.

July 2016, 17, 18 and 19, – Frontiersmen Support Blind Veterans 100k walk

To raise funds for ex-servicemen who face blindness, Blind Veterans UK arrange this 100K walk/run from London to Brighton, this gruelling challenge is taken up by people from all walks of life, serving, ex-service and non service men and women all raising money for this great charity. The Legion of Frontiersmen provide first aid at the half way point, for both body and soul. With the use of the Ambulance we were able to transport more serious casualties to hospital if needed.

June 2016, 17 and 18 – Frontiersmen Provide traffic Marshalling and First Aid for Armed Forces Day Parade and Fete

Chingford Branch Royal British Legion Annual Armed Forces Day Parade and Fete required traffic marshalling and First Aid for the day, Frontiersmen provided a team of seven Frontiersmen to marshal the parade, and for the remainder of the day provide first aid cover.

June 2016, 17 and 18 – Frontiersmen Provide First Aid support for the Combined Irish Regiments

Every year the Combined Irish Regiments hold their annual remembrance day parade in Whitehall in front of the cenotaph, in 2015 they asked the Legion of Frontiersmen if they could provide first aid cover for this event. Having established a team of first aiders with the minimum qualification of “First aid at Work” and obtaining insurance for carrying out such duties the Frontiersmen have been able to provide this facility for a number of years now. In 2015 Savoy Ventures loaned us an ambulance for this duty, this year we were able to deploy with our own given to us by Savoy Ventures.

June 2016 – Frontiersmen Receive New Ambulance

In June, Savoy Ventures donated to the Frontiersmen an ambulance to assist them in their work both in supporting the government and to assist ex-servicemen with their parades by providing first aid cover at no cost to themselves, we cannot thank Savoy Ventures enough for their generosity and continued support.

March 2016 – Operation Unified Response

Frontiersmen assisted in the biggest exercise organised by the London Fire  Brigade to test their response in the event of a major underground crash, Frontiersmen were to act as casualties being dressed and being made up to look like they were injured. The unit was held back on the exercise to be placed in the final carriage which had another on top of it and partly concealed by concrete. the fire service had to cut there way through the concrete and the roof of the tube carriage and extricate the passengers. We were then taken through triage and into the NHS system.

August 2015 – Shoreham Air Show

Every year the Frontiersmen carry out the security and traffic management at all of the gates of Shoreham Air Show, this year there was an horrific air crash with 11 fatalities, the Frontiersmen were within 500M of the crash, and having secured the gate provided first aid to the walking wounded who started to arrive. we provided two first aiders to the quickly established reception centre, and supported the emergency services throughout the remainder of the day. We also had 4780 cars to get off the site and having lost the main entrance/exit, we had to arrange a route across the airfield out of one of the crash gates. needless to say it was a long day, but throughout it all our thoughts were with those who would not go home and the families that would be waiting for them.

August 2015 – Assistance to the RSPCA and Police in Bristol

After our operation in 2013, we were requested by the RSPCA to assist in the collection of both Equine and Bovine from a farm in the Bristol area. we were able to manage the vehicle movements, provide food and drink for all of the 50 staff on the operation throughout the day, and provide both physical and Bio-security to the site. It rained all day, but continuous tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches (with minor vegetarian option) the work was carried out as cheerfully as could be.

January 2014 – to present day – Start of our support for the Royal Hospital Chelsea

Chelsea Hospital – The City of London and Colour Squadron start their monthly duties and The Royal Hospital Chelsea, assisting in-pensioners that are less able to get out and about, and having a film show. It is hoped that this ongoing work will build relationships with the in-pensioners and individual Frontiersmen.

February/March 2014 to Present day

The Nuts Challenge – Frontiersmen from the City of London and Colour Squadron assist in Marshalling, First Aid and Communications for what is described as the Hardest Assault Course in Britain, Over 7Km of obstacles. Camping on the Site, it was hard work, and very wet and muddy, but the donation received will assist in the purchase of equipment for the Squadron.

what is described as the Hardest Assault Course in Britain, Over 7Km of obstacles. Camping on the Site, it was hard work, and very wet and muddy, but the donation received will assist in the purchase of equipment for the Squadron.

November 2013

Assistance to the Vale of Glamorgan Council – As well as our normal Ceremonial Duties as part of Remembrance, All units of UK Command deployed to assist the RSPCA, Police and the Vale of Glamorgan Council in what was the biggest rescue of horse the country has seen, with many of the horses being in such bad condition they had to be put down. It was very emotional work and involved rounding up the horses for the vets to assess them, moving them onto transport, as well as providing teas and coffees to all the agencies involved and security during the night.