2YORKS homeward bound after Cyprus handover

Two years on deployment to Cyprus have come to an end for 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.

The unit is heading home to Chester, after an official flag-raising ceremony in Episkopi.

The handover means 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, is now the Regional Standby Battalion.

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2 YORKS saw their deployment delayed by COVID in 2020 although, eventually, about 540 soldiers were ready to deploy anywhere in the Middle East or Africa within 48 hours, if required, in the standby role.

Notably, they joined paratroopers in Kabul in 2021 to assist with the Afghan evacuations.

Experts in close combat and urban operations, they are highly mobile and are ready to respond to incidents and trouble spots anywhere in the world.

Known as the Kingsmen, 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment is a Light Role Infantry Battalion and consists of ground close-combat specialists.

It rotates its presence in Cyprus – there two years out of every six.