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The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars
Bar to Regimental Medal Number 159
Lt Col Peter Garbutt
Lt Col Peter Garbutt is awarded a bar to Regimental Medal number 159, originally awarded in 1987, for his outstanding con- tribution to the military honour and effi- ciency of the Regiment during his tenure as
Regimental Secretary.
On retirement from the regular Army his loyalty to his Regiment led him to take the role of Regimental Secretary, which has been especially demanding in the years after amalgamation, during which he has had the critical task of drawing together multi- ple threads in the running of the Home HQs of the two former Regiments in a manner which has contributed markedly to the unity and cohesion of the new Regimental family. This involved exceptional dedication to the job and constant extra, effectively unpaid, work. He has spent vast numbers of hours getting to know those former members of the Regiment who he did not already know well from his former Service, and has worked incredibly hard to bring them together under the mantle of the new amalga- mated Regimental Association, thus carrying out a vital function in the building of the wider Regimental morale and cohesion, so important in its contribution to the operational effectiveness of the Serving Regiment.
Whilst Regimental Secretary he also took on the significant extra responsibility of Honorary Curator of the Regimental Museum in Winchester, which has become the museum of the amalga- mated Regiments, involving a complex and demanding bringing together of two important collections. He worked incredibly hard to ensure that all governance, documentation and financial pro- jections were updated and tested as part of a crucial Arts Council England Reaccreditation process. He set up new salary structures, dealt with the most difficult questions from the public, oversaw recruitment of volunteers, and on occasions dealt with emergen- cies such as burst water pipes which threatened to do grave dam- age to valuable artefacts. All of this involved a huge amount of work over and above the expectations of his job.
Lt Col Garbutt has overseen the recruitment of 37 young officers, who now make up the cohort complete below the rank of major. He retired as Regimental Secretary this summer after a long career of extraordinary dedication having shaped the personality of the serving Regiment today in a way no other has.
Regimental Medal Number 256
Lt Col Will Hodgkinson MBE
Lt Col Will Hodgkinson is awarded Regimental Medal number 256 for his out- standing contribution to the military hon- our and efficiency of the Regiment while deployed on UK Operations and Combat Ready Training.
November 2020 saw the King’s Royal Hussars deploy as UK Resilience Force 2 to conduct Whole Town Testing in Liverpool using Lateral Flow Devices for the first time in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Under Lt Col Hodgkinson’s command
this pilot was a national success, seeing 47,798 members of the public tested. As a direct result the City of Liverpool moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in time for Christmas, significantly improving the lived experience for almost half a million people.
On Boxing Day 2020 the Regiment was deployed to support the testing of the backlog of hauliers in Kent, vital to ensuring the free flow of goods into the Continent. Taking over from the Royal Gurkha Rifles, the King’s Royal Hussars hosted numerous inter- national dignitaries, including a French delegation, who were convinced by the Regiments rigorous approach to testing. Grant Schap, Secretary of State for Transport, later commented the host- ing of French firefighters had never been so important. Under Lt Col Hodgkinson the Regiment subsequently managed the transi- tion of testing back to the Inland Border Facilities and a more sustainable operating model.
From UK operations the Regiment refocused on validating as the Lead Armoured Battlegroup. Lt Col Hodgkinson led the Regiment and attached arms on the seamless delivery of the larg- est exercise in the UK since 2002. The precision of execution in challenging circumstances across multiple training estates was a feat of command. The movement of fleet and people represented the most realistic test of readiness in a decade, delivering over 750 people and 300 vehicles at 97% availability to the line of depar- ture. However, perhaps the greatest success of Exercise IRON STORM was that the King’s Royal Hussars have been recognised across Field Army as a genuine learning organisation, a trait which comes as a direct result of its Commanding Officer.
Lt Col Hodgkinson’s leadership and conspicuous example to all has delivered a Regiment proven in domestic, and ready for over- seas, operations.
Regimental Medal Number 257
Capt Damion Baines
Capt Damion Baines is awarded Regimental Medal Number 257 for his outstanding con- tribution to the military honour and effi- ciency of the Regiment throughout his 23 year career.
Capt Baines has deployed on operational tours to Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Iraq and Estonia. Early on he was identi- fied as an inspirational leader, and his professionalism is unques- tionable: Capt Baines came top of his PNCO Cadre, CR2 Crew Commanders, and was recognised as top instructor at ATR Winchester.
However, it is his selfless commitment that sets Capt Baines apart. His extraordinary enthusiasm for the wider Regimental and local communities is truly remarkable. As RSM he demonstrated his commitment as a member of the Regimental Association, often visiting and hosting our most vulnerable people during the Christmas period and sacrificing time that would otherwise be spent with his own family. This work has continued as the Unit Welfare Officer. Capt Baines’ positive impact on the lived experi- ence of the Regiment is a conspicuous example for all to follow. For this he is deserving of recognition.
Captain Damion Baines was also awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for his contribution to Regimental and wider Army in 2021.
Regimental Medals