New Zealand Defence Force

Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Release

23 September 2005

Duke of York to visit Army Logistic Regiment

His Royal Highness The Duke of York is in New Zealand next week to visit the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (RNZALR) Duke of York’s Own.

The Duke of York has held the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief of the RNZALR since its formation in 1996 and the Regiment is known as “The Duke of York’s own”.

During his visit, The Duke of York will meet with soldiers and officers of the RNZALR in Linton and Trentham Military Camps and will visit members of the Burnham based 3rd Logistic Battalion on Exercise in the Nelson region.

Colonel Peter Cunninghame, the Army’s Chief of Logistics, said the Duke of York is very committed to his Regiment and his role as Colonel-in-Chief.

“I believe the Duke of York was delighted to accept the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief and the Regiment was very deeply honoured by his decision to do so. The main purpose of his visit to New Zealand later this month is to once again meet with the members of his Regiment and view their activities.

The Duke of York last visited New Zealand in 1998 when he presented the Prince Andrew Banner to the RNZALR in a ceremony in Palmerston North. During that visit he took every opportunity to get to know the officers and soldiers of the Regiment.”

The Duke of York arrives on 28 September and departs New Zealand on 2 October.

For further information please contact Major Denise Mackay, Army Public Relations Manager, 04 496 0285 or 021 478 574

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

Media will be invited to attend aspects of The Duke of York’s visit in both Linton and Trentham Camps. Further details will be provided next week.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON “THE DUKE OF YORK’S OWN”

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND ARMY LOGISTIC REGIMENT

General Background

Prior to 1996, the logistic support to the New Zealand Army was provided by three separate and distinct corps; the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RNZEME), the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (RNZAOC) and the Royal New Zealand Corps of Transport (RNZCT).

On 4 April 1996 the then Chief of Defence Force, Major General Piers Reid, signed a directive to initiate the establishment of a fully integrated logistic function in the New Zealand Army, with the intention of improving logistic support in both operational and non-operational environments. The integrated logistic organisation would combine the three separate corps.

The new corps, known as the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (RNZALR), was formed on 4 December 1996 with the disbandment of the RNZEME, RNZAOC and RNZCT.

The Royal Link

Prior to the establishment of the RNZALR, the predecessor corps each had a member of the Royal family as its “Colonel-in-Chief”. The Queen herself was the Colonel-in-Chief of the RNZAOC, with Prince Philip filling this role for the RNZEME and Princess Alice (Duchess of Gloucester) for the RNZCT.

The Queen appointed The Duke of York as Colonel-in-Chief of the RNZALR in December 1996, to date the RNZALR is the only corps in New Zealand to have The Duke of York as its Colonel-in-Chief.

On 22 June 1999, The Queen approved the appellation “The Duke of York’s Own” to the RNZALR.

The Duke of York

The Duke of York first visited his Regiment in 1998, when he presented the Prince Andrew Banner to the RNZALR during a ceremony held on 16 November in Palmerston North. The Banner is used by the Regiment for major ceremonial activities and represents the focal point for the traditions, loyalty and spirit of the RNZALR.

The main purpose of The Duke of York’s visit to New Zealand later this month is to meet the soldiers and officers of his regiment, in both the camp and field environments.

The New Zealand Army has appointed officers to fill the role of Equerry to the Duke of York since the formation of the RNZALR in 1996. The Equerry acts as an officer in attendance to His Royal Highness during visits to New Zealand, or other countries as directed. An Equerry is appointed for three years and is selected from Officers holding the rank of Captain.

ENDS

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