Petition to Retain Army Battalion Headquarters in Wrexham Handed in by MP Ian Lucas

A petition calling for a local Army Battalion headquarters to be retained in Wrexham has been handed in.

The petition was launched earlier this year by Wrexham MP Ian Lucas after it was confirmed that the 101 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (REME) unit based at Hightown Barracks was to merge with the 105 Battalion in Bristol.

The 101 Battalion REME unit in Wrexham is one of five based across the country, with 300 reservists based across Liverpool, West Bromwich, Liverpool and Prestatyn.

The merger features as part of the Army 2020 Refine restructure, with an Army spokesperson stating in January 2017: “The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) is being reorganised nationally to provide a smaller number of more technical specialists to support the war fighting division.

“101 Battalion REME will effectively merge with 105 Battalion and, as a result, the small battalion headquarters at Hightown will close and its responsibility will transfer to Bristol.

“All personnel affected will be assisted to transfer to the Royal Welsh Regiment who share the reserve centre or other units locally.”

The Hightown Barracks Army Reserve Centre is also home to a Platoon from 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh (31 Reservists including one officer), a detachment from Wales University Officer Training Corps (two senior non-commissioned officers and 25 officer cadets) and a detachment of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force (four adults and 50 cadets).

In February 2017 Minister for Defence Veterans, Reserves and Personnel Mark Lancaster, told Mr Lucas: “There are currently no plans to close this centre and the Department has consequently had no contact with developers about its future.”

Last week the petition containing just under 800 signatures from Wrexham residents alone was handed in by Mr Lucas. He said: “Hundreds of people signed this petition – from places as far afield as Australia.

In Wrexham alone, just under 800 of my constituents wanted to make their voice heard, with hundreds of other signatures from elsewhere across the country. Susan Elan Jones joined me in presenting a petition from Clwyd South.

“I’d like to thank Brian Cameron and Graham Rogers for their sterling work gathering signatures – and, of course, every single person who signed the petition. They have recognised what the Government has not – that Wrexham is a town with a proud military tradition.

“Battalions like 101 REME and their link to our Barracks are part of the fabric of Wrexham, yet the Conservative Government wants to sever the link between them and move the Battalion down south.

“Hundreds of Wrexham people believe that that proposal is wrong, and I’ve made their views clear to the Government.”

Picture – Google Maps