Wrexham’s MP “thrilled” as Wrexham will be home to new Reserve company of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh

Wrexham’s MP Sarah Atherton has said it is a “win for Wrexham” as it has been confirmed new Reserve company of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh will be located in Wrexham.

Yesterday we reported on news that the new Reserve company of the Royal Welsh was due to be located in North Wales, with it appearing to be confirmed as Wrexham.

In a statement to the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace MP, announced that Hightown Barracks in Wrexham would receive a new Reserve company of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh.

Alongside this news for Wrexham, it was also announced that the Army footprint in Wales would increase, despite the fact that there would be an overall scaling down of the number of troops in the UK Armed Forces everywhere else. As well as £320 million investment from the Ministry of Defence, Wales will also see the return of the ‘Welsh cavalry’, The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, to Caerwent Barracks and the retention of The Brecon Barracks.

The announcement followed Ms Atherton’s question to the Secretary of State for Defence earlier this month at Defence Questions, in which she asked Mr Wallace if he would visit Hightown to “thank Colonel Nick Lock and his team” for their work regenerating the site. Ms Atherton explained that Hightown Barracks, once “destined to be a housing estate” now “contains the Defence Mental Health Clinic, a reserve field detachment, cadets, a preparation college, support for transport and an inspiring anti-tank company”. In response, the Defence Secretary said that he would be “delighted” to visit. 

In response to the announcement, Wrexham’s MP said, “This is a ‘win’ for Wrexham, and for Wales. The Reserve unit and funding is the next step in the regeneration of Hightown Barracks. Wrexham has a proud military history, which brings our community together so I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this announcement will have on our town.

“This announcement is also a vote of confidence in Wales, proving our significance to the UK’s Armed Forces. As a passionate champion of our Armed Forces, and a veteran myself, I am thrilled by this announcement for Wrexham and the recent news that Wales will finally get a Veterans Commissioner, funded by the UK Government.”