Multi-Activity Expedition ‘Lillingston Tiger’, Antigua Barbuda, July 2007
The Staffordshire Regiment
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The Staffordshire Regiment conducted a thirteen-day Level 3 multi-activity Adventurous Training (AT) expedition to Antigua and Barbuda over the period 10-22 July 07. The background to the expedition was that The Staffordshire Regiment’s earliest predecessor regiment, Lillingston’s Regiment, served in Antigua for 57 years (1707-64). In recognition of this extraordinary posting, The Staffordshire Regiment established an affiliation with the Antigua Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) in 1956 and this link continues today. The expedition had 3 primary aims: conduct a challenging multi-activity AT package in Antigua and Barbuda, confirm The Staffordshire Regiment’s affiliation with the ABDF and commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the arrival of Lillingston’s Regiment in Antigua. The expedition comprised nine team members drawn from the ‘wider’ Regimental family and including officers and soldiers from the 1st Battalion, WM REGT, N Staffs & WM ACF and E1. The main AT activities conducted were trekking, canoeing and off-shore sailing. Additional activities included horse-riding and mountain biking. The expedition also included a visit to the ABDF and a regimental history ‘discovery day’ as secondary objectives. |
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The expedition was a great success for The Staffordshire Regiment. The AT, whilst modest in scope, challenged each member of the team to some degree and was thoroughly enjoyable. We were hosted magnificently by the ABDF and have laid the foundations for renewed opportunities to develop our affiliation. On the regimental history aspect, we scoured Antigua for evidence of the STAFFORDS on the island, and found the relics of various forts and barracks in which the Regiment was stationed, and established a link with the National Museum. In short, the expedition proved to be an excellent package.
J E Green, Maj, Exped Ldr