Traditionally, over many centuries, livery companies have supported the armed forces. For
many years, the Worshipful Company of Paviors has been affiliated with the Third Battalion
of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. The Regiment draws many of its officers and
soldiers from Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London, Middlesex, Hampshire as well as the Isle of
Wight. It is also the only infantry regiment that recruits from the Channel Islands.
The Regiment has a long, distinguished history, having been involved in virtually every theatre of
war since The Battle of Tangier in 1662. It is the most decorated of all British Army
regiments, with 57 Victoria Crosses, including the VC awarded to Lance Corporal Johnson
Beharry in 2004 for his gallantry in Iraq.
There are three PWRR battalions: two regular and
the Third Battalion, affiliated to the Paviors, is Territorial (the ‘TA Tigers’).
Soldiers of 3PWRR take time out from their normal civilian jobs - which are protected by
legislation - to experience life at the sharp end of the British Army’s operational
activities. The Battalion has a proud record on operations alongside the Regular Army, and
soldiers from 3PWRR have been deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers in 3PWRR
train one evening a week and on one or two weekends a month. Each year there is also a twoweek
training camp.
The Battalion has the following bases:
- Canterbury: Battalion HQ and HQ Company, Patrols Platoon, Regimental Band, Signals,
Logistics, Transport and Medics
- Dover: Patrols Platoon
- Farnham and Camberley: A Company and 81mm Mortar Platoon
- Brighton and Worthing: B Company and Anti-Tank (Javelin Missile) Platoon
- Rochester: C Company and Infantry Combat Engineer (Assault Pioneer) Platoon
- Portsmouth: D Company, Machine Gun Platoon and Regimental Band section
The Paviors present an annual prize of an engraved goblet and a cheque for £250 to the
outstanding 3PWRR corporal of the year. The presentation is made at the Kohima Dinner,
which marks a critical battle of World War II. The Paviors also provide grants towards
education and training.
Paviors are invited to the annual 3PWRR Small Arms Trials, where
they compete for a silver cup against liverymen from other companies affiliated to the
regiment. Liverymen from Paviors have attended 3PWRR training exercises and officers of
the Battalion have been guests at various Paviors’ events. 3PWRR provide some articles for
The Pavior magazine. For more details about 3PWRR see their web-site:
www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/6308.aspx.
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