Run from the association’s headquarters in York and led by volunteers, the project will develop an audio archive of the experiences of serving and former members of the regiment and their families covering the period from the Second World War to present day operations in Afghanistan.

The Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG), an armoured regiment based in Catterick, and currently serving in Afghanistan, formed in 1992 from the amalgamation of two distinguished cavalry regiments, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. These regiments served in North West Europe during the Second World War and since then in Korea, Aden, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in Germany during the Cold War. Interviewers will conduct some 100 interviews in order to complete the archive, which will be deposited in the RDG Museum, Tower Street, York, and other museums throughout the country, where it will be available to academic historians, members of the public and those researching family history.

Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Memories, stories and reminiscences are a valuable way of learning about our past and sharing this with future generations. The Royal Dragoon Guards project will help to record and share the experiences of our committed service men and women and provide an important and fascinating resource for the wider community.”

Commenting on the award, Brigadier Johnny Torrens-Spence, Colonel of The Royal Dragoon Guards, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the project will provide important historical material to national and local museums, in particular the York Army museum.”

Notes to editors

The Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG) is a regiment of the British Army with a history that goes back to 1685.  Based in Catterick and equipped with Challenger tanks, it is currently serving in Afghanistan in a variety of roles. It recruits mainly from Yorkshire.

The RDG Association, with headquarters in York, is a charitable institution whose membership comprises all serving and retired members of the regiment. The object of the association is to promote the efficiency of the Armed Forces and in particular the RDG by:

• Relieving either generally or individually members of the Association, or past and present serving members of the RDG or its predecessor regiments, who are in conditions of illness, need, hardship or distress;
• Maintaining contact between past and present members of the regiment and allied associations, fostering communication and mutual friendship between them and providing social gathering for them;
• Fostering spirit de corps, comradeship and the welfare of the regiment and fostering and maintaining its traditions.

Further information

Major Graeme Green at Home Headquarters RDG on 01904 461 027 or graeme.green738@mod.uk