I feel very honoured and happy to have been asked to become your President.  I took over from General Barrons after our annual parade of 3 RHA veterans at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday this year, and I could not be more proud. 

A long time ago, I commanded C Battery, followed by a spell as Second in Command of the Regiment.  I was then fortunate indeed to be asked to command our Regiment, taking over from one Lieutenant Colonel Richards, now our very own Field Marshal!  This appointment as your President is for me the icing on a very special cake.  I send you all my warmest greetings and can’t wait to meet so many more of you in person.

2025 has been another challenging year for the Red Cypher community.  Our serving Regiment has been incredibly busy, not least in the training of Ukrainian soldiers who are now defending their country in very difficult circumstances.  Our Regiment is again undertaking back-to-back tours in Estonia as part of NATO's Forward Land Forces, with D Battery to be followed by C Battery.  Once again, many will miss another Christmas with their family and loved ones.  

Here at home, for some of our families, both serving and veteran, this will be the first Christmas without loved ones who are no longer with us.  This will be a particularly difficult time for them and my thoughts and prayers are with them.

I know other families will be struggling with the inexorable rise in the cost of living and all the pressures that brings, especially at this time of year.  I ask you all therefore to keep an eye out for any of our members who may need our help and do get in touch with our Red Cypher charity should the need arise. 

May I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to all of our members who give of their time to organise the events that bring us together throughout the year: the Spring lunch, the September weekend, the Cenotaph parade and lunch and the Northern Gathering are just some of the examples that help to maintain our comradeship and the spirit that is Red Cypher.  Our colour parties ensure that those who pass on are appropriately recognised by the Regiment.  Others work quietly in the background to keep Red Cypher flourishing on your behalf.  I thank you all.

It remains therefore for me to wish all our members, from Gunner to Field Marshal, serving and retired, a very happy and peaceful Christmas and the very best for 2026.

Major General R M McQ Sykes