On 80th anniversary of VE Day, RG’s new Honorary Colonel says recruitment vital amid global instability

The Royal Gibraltar Regiment’s (RG) new Honorary Colonel, General Sir Patrick Sanders, has underscored the importance of local recruitment amid global instability as he took over the role.

Sir Patrick is taking over the role as the Honorary Colonel of The Royal Gibraltar Regiment tomorrow, the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).

Reflecting on a day celebrating eight decades since peace was declared in Europe at the end of WWII, Sir Patrick described how the world order is now shifting.

“Geo-strategically, we're in very, very troubled waters,” he told the Chronicle.

“We should be clear that what we're experiencing globally, in terms of the world order, is probably nothing short of a revolution.”

“So all of the stability that we've enjoyed, almost as a golden generation, for the last 80 years is over.”

“The world is much more dangerous and much more unstable, and one of the ways you navigate that world is partly to stay close to your friends.”

“For Gibraltar, that means being inextricably linked and close to the UK, but it also means being part of the wider European community and NATO.”

“It also means having an appreciation for the importance of hard power.”

“In a way, we've lived in an era where it was the rule of law that dominated international relations.”

“I'm afraid we're entering an era now where it's all about power and it's about hard power.”
“Gibraltar's contribution to that is the Gibraltar Regiment. It's the manifestation of that hard power.”

A key challenge for the regiment is local recruitment, and Sir Patrick believes without Gibraltarians the Royal Gibraltar Regiment cannot survive.

He shared a key message: “Please send your sons and daughters to join the Gibraltar Regiment.”

His predecessor, Lt Col (Rtd) Francis Brancato, has been clear with him about the importance of recruitment, and has highlighted ways to make a career in the army more attractive.

Sir Patrick said he would like to see the regiment grow in strength.

“The professionalism of the regiment is not in doubt,” he said.

“They are extremely professional.”

“They've played their part in all the campaigns that we've been involved in, certainly during my 40-year career, and done it very well.”

Sir Patrick grew up in Gibraltar in the 1970s, when the border was closed.

He served here in the 1990s as part of the last British resident battalion and he participated in the last Ceremony of the Keys carried out by a UK resident battalion.

He was at school with a lot of Gibraltarians back in the UK, and then in his first chief role as a four-star general, he was responsible for Gibraltar.

As a result, he said, he knows Gibraltar very well.

Apart from the personal connections, he added that Gibraltar is an incredibly important strategic asset, because of both its geographical position and its history.

“There's a reason that there is so much military history infused in Gibraltar. It's because it's critical strategically,” he said.

“But I always admired the spirit of the people of Gibraltar, stubborn, dogged, tough, resilient, but also with immense dynamism and charm and a great sense of joie de vivre.”

“The people and the place get under your skin.”

“The opportunity to try to help the Gibraltar Regiment continue to thrive, grow in strength, grow in capability, and play its part in the British Army's order of battle, as well as defending Gibraltar, felt like a really worthy thing to be part of.”

Sir Patrick’s appointment represents a significant moment in the Regiment’s history.

As a former Chief of the General Staff and one of the British Army’s most senior and respected officers, Sir Patrick brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role.

“I spent 40 years serving with soldiers,” he said.

“I've been very lucky. I'm now out of the army. I'm a civilian. This is an opportunity to be back among soldiers. That excites me.”

“So the excitement is being back among soldiers.”

“It's being able to serve a regiment - I've spent in my life doing that - and then work with the council, the Governor, Commander British Forces and the MoD to make sure that the regiment is able to maximise its potential.”