5 RIFLES help develop relations in Helmand

Corporal Glyn Sephton

14 February 2012

Soldiers working in Helmand Province have helped Afghan elders and local government officials meet up for the first time.

Troops from 5th Battalion the Rifles Regiment (5 RIFLES) have seen district community councillors and local elders from the village of Char Kutsa, in their area of the Nahr-e Saraj South, meet up at a ‘shura’ or village meeting.

The signifies the progression the Battalion has made since deploying in October, and is a milestone for the local Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA).

The meeting, or shura, is a chance for all parties in the community to meet to discuss issues, and in the past has been the preserve of British officers from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) you used it to keep local Afghans informed.

But now the local Afghan Uniformed Police have taken over the hosting of the shura, which is held at local checkpoint called Lamar - making it a purely Afghan-led forum.

Captain Chris Davies is the second in command of the A Company 5 RIFLES which holds the ground in the area.

Captain Davies, 28, said the attendance of the district community councillors was a major step in improving governance in the area as it is the link between the Afghan government and the local people.

He said: “This was the most significant and influential attendance we have seen so far in this tour and it is a real promising step for the local community here in Char Kutsa.

“Not only does the attendance of the DCC officials add authority to the shura here, but it means that it has legitimacy with the government as well and will foster greater confidence among the rural communities here.”

Yes.....We hit £25,000!!

Corporal Glyn Sephton

04 February 2012

With many thanks again to you all for getting us to the first massive milestone as is stands today (04/04/2012) our total is £25382.25.  This was helped by Oliver Marsh who donated  £372.24 (Donations from colleagues at UBS), Oliver many thanks from all of us and to you all for your kind donations!!!  

From All the Boys & Girls at 5 RIFLES

Corporal Glyn Sephton

24 January 2012

From all at 5 RIFLES we would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all the kind donations so far and particulary the kind people

who have raised money for us, some of them are:

Staff Sargeant Stu Mann, and his Gymathon gang (Tash Davies, Joanne Pursey, Lance Corporal Bourne, Corporal Griffiths, and others to follow) who raised £2262

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Copinger-Symes and Mrs Copinger-Symes who donated £100 and raised £100

Micky Miles from the The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) who raised £75

Mr Sasho Bogoevski who donated £100

MANY THANKS!!!!!!!  

Fire Support Company Newsletter No.2 by Major R J Spalton

Corporal Glyn Sephton

31 December 2011

Well, time for the second thrilling instalment. This week there is a distinct Mortar bias in the article – not bias on my part I hasten to add, more the fact that Messers Burge, Jones and Wheatley have been stuck in places with no access to IT. Burgey and his band of Romany travellers are doing fine and we hear daily reports of their progress from the dulcet and just-about intelligible Geordie-tones of John Cooney on the radio. We think Mike Lindgren has now gone native (native to 2 Rifles rather native to Helmand that is) as he is now only ever seen with his new mates and barely acknowledges our presence. Noted!

Bridgy’s Band of Brothers

Two weeks into the tour and the Mortar section based in PB1 have been.............( Click on  'Read More' below)

A Blog by Lieutenant Will Ward - Officer Commanding 1 Platoon

Corporal Glyn Sephton

31 December 2011

Commanding Officer's Christmas Message

Corporal Glyn Sephton for Commanding Officer

22 December 2011

Life in Nahr-e-Saraj – Winter 2011

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Copinger-Symes

Commanding Officer 5th Battalion The Rifles

Commanding Combined Force Nahr-e-Saraj (South)

  - The surprise visit from HRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex. 

Life has settled down into a sort of routine now, in the 6 weeks since we set up home here in Patrol Base 2 – a funny little community fashioned out of tents and sand-bags, countless ISO containers and a forest of radio antennae.  We are in Nahr-e-Saraj District, which forms part of Helmand Province.  On Google Earth you’ll find us just South West of a town called Gereshk, near a community called Paind Kalay, sandwiched between the Nahr-e-Bughra Canal and the River Helmand.  Everything here is related to land and water, and the area that we

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at 5 RIFLES

Corporal Glyn Sephton

15 December 2011

From all of us at 5 RIFLES we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We would also like to thank you for all you support this year.

Swift & Bold 

Remembering the Fallen - Rifleman Sheldon Steel

Corporal Glyn Sephton

15 December 2011

Today we remembered our fellow Rifleman Sheldon Steel in both the UK and in the 5 RIFLES barracks by holding a 2 minutes silence to remember how brave he was and how he paid the ultimate price for his country.

He was killed in Afghanistan and was described as a "future leader in the making" as his family and colleagues gathered for his funeral today.

Rifleman Sheldon Steel, from 5th Battalion The Rifles, was killed by an explosion in Helmand province while on foot patrol.

He has been described as a soldier with a "big heart".

The Rifleman was caught in the blast from an improvised explosive device in Babaji, in the Lashkar Gah district, on November 27.

Today his coffin, draped with a Union Flag, was carried into

The Delta Dogs help Afghan police build checkpoint

Corporal Glyn Sephton

7 December 2011

The Results are in....

Corporal Glyn Sephton

7 December 2011

As promised the results from my earlier blog about the Battalion's leave commitment, where each Soldier who was taking Pre tour leave took with them 10 wristbands each to sell to family and friends, the winner would win an extra weeks leave. The winner was Craftman Dunscombe, an attached member of the Battalion who raised £340, an outstanding effort.  The results were as follows:

 Fantastic news, the total raised by the Rfn (all ranks) over leave is a staggering £ 10139.74 the breakdown is below:

Money raised for Heroes by little Rifleman

Corporal Glyn Sephton

4 December 2011

Last Friday (2 December) saw just under €50 raised for the Wristband appeal by little Bobby-Jo Blakemore, this was her own idea in which people at the John Buchan School Fete were asked to NAME THE TEDDY BEAR for a kind donation. Bobby-Jo's dad is currently on Op Herrick 15 and is a member of 5 RIFLES.

Bobby-Jo from all of us we would like to say THANK YOU for your help and i'm sure your Daddy is very proud of you!!

SWIFT & BOLD

Christmas boxes pile up in Paderborn

Corporal Glyn Sephton (Published on the BFBS Website)

21 November 2011

Families from 5 Rifles in Paderborn have been packing Christmas boxes to send out to their loved ones in theatre. The event was supported by the welfare team at 20 Brigade.

Treats were provided to put inside the boxes, which can all be sent for free via BFPO as long as they weigh under 2 kilograms. More than 300 Christmas boxes have been sent out to Afghanistan so far from all the different regiments.

For Full video click HERE

5 RIFLES gain a New mascot

Corporal Glyn Sephton

17 November 2011

Officers in A Company, 5 Rifles have contacted Leeds University's Equestrian Society thinking it would be a good idea to have them as mascots to boost morale while the soldiers are doing a six-month stint in Afghanistan. The students from Leeds University's Equestrian Society braved temperatures as low as three degrees for a saucy photoshoot to make a Calendar for their fundraiser to help the Disabled Association . 

Emily from the Leeds University's Equestrian Society said to The Sun, "We've all been assigned a specific rifleman who is going to write back to us.

"We are obviously really supportive of them so we're delighted we can sort of officially be linked with them."

I'm sure that they will be a great asset to the tour and they have already sent free Calenders to Afghanistan.  Thanks Girls!!

You can buy the calendar by visiting leedsuniriding.webs.com and you can read the Full story in The Sun by clicking HERE

We hit the £1000 mark

Corporal Glyn Sephton

06 November 2011

From all the Guys and Gals at 5 RIFLES, we would like to say thanks you for the kind donations so far which has got us to the £1000 mark. 

Again many thanks.

Greetings from Afghanistan

Corporal Glyn Sephton for Commanding Officer

04 November 2011

Most of the team have now been here for at least 2 weeks; some are still trickling in; and B Coy have been here for 2-3 months..... so an update might be appropriate.

We've had the most terrific handover from 1 RIFLES - friendly, efficient, informative and a total pleasure. I'm sure that there will have been the odd account-holder who thinks otherwise but across the board it has been great fun catching up with old friends, as we learn about our new patch and pick up the hard-won tricks of the trade from our fellow Riflemen. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for their graft over the past 6 months in general and most particularly the last few weeks; they have

Ceremony marks handover/takeover from 1 RIFLES to 5 RIFLES 

Corporal Glyn Sephton (Published on the BFBS Website)

03 November 2011

A ceremony has marked the end of the role of 1 RIFLES - the last Battalegroup attached to 3 Commando - in Nahr-e Saraj South and the handover to 5 RIFLES of 20th Armoured Brigade.

They have spent six months fighting the insurgency, bringing security to the area and mentoring the Afghan National Security Forces.

The tour has seen them take part in 6,001 patrols and 200 operations - but at a cost.

For Full Video and story click here or click on photo above

Lest we Forget

Corporal Glyn Sephton

02 November 2011

The "Ode of Remembrance":-

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

By Laurence Binyon

Let's not forget our Heroes in Afghanistan and all the Brave Heroes that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their Country this 11th November. Please show your support

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Corporal Glyn Sephton

30 October 2011

From all of us at 5 RIFLES, Happy Halloween everyone!!!  PS. Please don't forget we need your support!!

The first troops from 20 Brigade hit Helmand

Corporal Glyn Sephton (Published on the BFBS Website)

19 October 2011

The first soldiers to deploy from 20 Brigade are carrying out armoured Warrior patrols to protect two key highways in Helmand.

5 Rifles, B Company deployed ahead of the rest of the Battalion and are now over a month into their tour.

For full video Click Here.

And They're off !!

Corporal Glyn Sephton

19 October 2011

This was a sad week for everyone as we saw the Battalion begin to roll out to Afghanistan to take over the reigns from 1 Rifles.  As for the Rear Operations Group it was even more difficult as they had to see off their Comrades knowing that they could not deploy with them.

We wish them all well and pray for a safe return.

PS. feel free to post any messages or support via the Facebook Wristband appeal page by Clicking here.

5 Rifles cover 5,500 kilometres for charity

Corporal Glyn Sephton (Published on the BFBS Website)

19 October 2011

Soldiers and wives from 5th Battalion the Rifles are simulating the 5 and a half thousand kilometres from Sennelager to Camp Bastion on cross trainers, running machines and bikes.

With 3 weeks until they deploy on Op Herrick 15 they’re completing the distance to....

Remembering the Fallen

18 October 2011

For Our Tomorrow, They Gave Their Today.
A Concert of Remembrance, The Fitzhardinge Consort.
In Memory of Lt. Daniel Clack (25.03.1987 - 12.08.2011) and in honour of those of 1, 2 and 5RIFLES currently serving/deploying.
12th November 2011, 7:30pm, St.Peter's Church, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4LD. CONTACT This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for tickets.

Commanding Officer's Pre Tour Message

Corporal Glyn Sephton for Commanding Officer

14 October 2011

Welcome to the 5 RIFLES's Wristband Appeal Webpage. I hope that this webpage will prove to be an excellent way of keeping you informed of what we are doing over the coming months in Helmand. Inevitably we can't cover everything here; and we can't compete with CNN or the BBC for 24/7 up-to-date news; but I hope that we can provide a bit of 'ground-truth' that gives you all an idea of what's going on at grass-roots level and, perhaps most importantly for families and loved ones left at home, dispel any unhelpful gossip or rumours.

The Op HERRICK 15 tour will no doubt be challenging and rewarding in equal measure. The current task Force Helmand, which includes 1 RIFLES, has done a fantastic job and the campaign is progressing well. It rarely grabs the headlines and therefore is hard to track, but gradually the security situation for the ordinary people of Helmand is improving, thanks to the hard work and commitment of the Afghan Forces, ISAF and

The Battalion's leave commitment

Corporal Glyn Sephton

26th September 2011

A couple of weeks ago the Battalion were looking forward to a few weeks well-earned leave to spend with loved ones prior to deploying to Afghanistan, however the Commanding Officer of 5 Rifles decided to throw them a hearty challenge - to sell as many 5 Rifles H15 Wristbands as possible and the winner receives an extra weeks leave. Having returned we all received a briefing from the Commanding Officer explaining that the challenge was a great success and better than he could have imagined, however the winner and amount raised is still to be revealed.......Watch this space !

Garrison Radio goes live from Paderborn

Corporal Glyn Sephton

28 September 2011

Garrison FM has been in Paderborn with 5 Rifles helping to celebrate their annual event - Salamanca Day.

Garrison FM's Rafe Parker made the trip to Alanbrooke Barracks to host and support the event. It was an opportunity for the battalion to spend some quality time with their loved ones and rear party ahead of their deployment on Op Herrick 15.

Rafe Parker (pictured with soldiers from 5 Rifles) joined an entertainment line up for the day which included a Kylie tribute act and a rock band. Talking exclusively to Garrison FM at the event 5 Rifles CO Lt Col Tom.Copinger-Symes explained "We had always said we would give the lads as much time off as possible before deploying. It became apparent that we could afford an extra week for them to spend with their loved ones and so moved the event". Garrison FM also broadcast an as-live hour across the Army’s radio network and online at GarrisonFM.com. It will also feature regular links up in theatre with the battalion.

Salamanca Day

Corporal Glyn Sephton

28 September 2011

5 Rifles have held their annual regimental day in Paderborn. Salamanca Day is normally held in July to commemorate the Anglo Portuguese Army’s victory at Salamanca in Spain in 1812.  This year, the day had to be postponed because of training. However, it was a last chance for a family get-together, ahead of 5 Rifles’ deployment to Afghanistan over the next fortnight.

For full video Click Here!

Siblings are TA's true band of brothers

Corporal Glyn Sephton

25 July 2011

Three Territorial Army soldiers - all brothers - are heading to Afghanistan together to be attached to the same battalion. Three of the Neal family's 10 children -- eight sons and two daughters -- are reservist riflemen and another is just beginning regular army selection. Rifleman Darryl Neal, 24, recruited his brothers Kevin, 23, and Shaye, 20, three years ago. He said: "Once you're in, it sort of expands and you start trying to bring other people in, your friends and that, and I thought well why not me brothers."

The three are being tested to the limit on a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise at Otterburn Ranges ahead of their deployment with 5 RIFLES. They are not in the same company: Two are in one and one is in another. Rifleman Shaye Neal said: "My poor...

5 Rifles prepare for Frontline

Corporal Glyn Sephton

25 June 2011

Soldiers at the Paderborn-based 20 Armoured Brigade have begun training in earnest for Afghanistan.
5th Battalion, The Rifles (5 Rifles) have been focusing on basic infantry skills at the Sennelager range area, starting with elementary weapon handling and moving on to platoon attacks.
5 Rifles are usually mounted on their armoured Warrior vehicles but training for Afghanistan has taken them back to their core skills.

Click here to see the video...

5 Rifles Wristbands Now Available

Edward Watson
3rd October 2011

5 RIFLES have started deploying to Afghanistan. You can now support them by wearing a 5 Rifles Swift and Bold wristband. Get one here.

Getting Ready

Edward Watson
31st August 2011

5 RIFLES will be deploying to Afghanistan in the near future. Dispatches and news will start appearing here in the near future. 5 Rifles wristbands will be available online from 3rd October 2011.