TA 100 Reception held
at British Consulate General Istanbul
Sub Lt RNR, Laura Harrison

The President and the Council of the United Kingdom Reserve Forces Association (UKRFA) held a Reception on 9 July to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Territorial Army at the British Consulate General Istanbul.

The UKRFA hosted 225 people including national Vice Presidents, representatives from the current Canadian Presidency as well as the incoming Dutch Presidency, Heads of Committees and other distinguished guests. The Guest of Honour was Major General David McDowall MBE, General Officer Commanding 2 Division, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. A Brass Quintet from the Minden Band and Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s former Piper provided the entertainment.

General McDowall said “At any one time we have 1200-1500 of our reserves serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and the TA is doing a valuable job supporting the regular Army in meeting its operational capability. This is the only TA 100 celebration to take place outside the UK and I cannot think of a better place to hold it”.

The event followed a series of celebrations held in the UK, including a launch event at the National Army Museum in London on 2 April and a National TA Pageant on 21 June on Horse Guards’ Parade. Yesterday Her Majesty the Queen hosted a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace for members of the TA, and the celebrations conclude in November with the Annual Remembrance Parade in London.