In December 2007, Vigil Security were appointed to provide security staff to protect the Howe Barracks base.
Duties include providing prevention of any unauthorised vehicle or pedestrian access through strict control at the Howe Barracks Main Gate, and the implementation on an agreed search policy. Vigil Security have additional responsibility for carrying out internal patrols of Howe Barracks, with military personnel from The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and as directed by the Designated Officer. Vigil’s other duties include handling bomb threats in accordance with the resident units Standing Operational Procedures, receiving and suitably recording any items of lost property that are handed in to the Guard Room, manning the Guard Room, and, with the military Guard Commander, maintaining the Daily Occurrence Book, meeting and greeting, issuing passes, recording visitors, issuing keys, monitoring alarms and monitoring CCTV.
George L Paton, Vigil Security, Director, says: "Having gained the confidence of all ranks through our professionalism, Vigil sought agreement to carry out an in-depth survey of Howe Barracks, then submitted a detailed security report, offering various recommendations and suggestions to the Battalion. These were based on our many years of experience, and were designed specifically to minimise the number of highly trained combat troops being deployed on regular non-operational duties such as fire picket, mobile patrols and sentry duty. Our proposals, an integration of both civilian security officers and electronics, could result in substantial manpower reductions for The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the future, and have been presented to 2 Brigade for approval, by the Battalion’s Designated Officer."
Managing Director Bill Mortimer, whose background includes the Metropolitan Police and Marks & Spencer, before establishing Vigil Security says: "Our experience of working at other MoD locations is clearly a factor in each new assignment, as we become practiced at delivering to the demanding requirements of the MoD. Given the opportunity, we have extended our responsibilities on each assignment and demonstrated how we can facilitate the release of military personnel for their primary duties."
About the unit
The 91st Argyllshire Highlanders were raised in 1794. They served in the South Africa Peninsula, Waterloo and India. The 93rd Sutherland Highlanders were raised in 1799. They saw service in New Orleans, Crimea (including Balaklava, where they earned the nickname of the Thin Red Line) and during the Indian Mutiny, where they won seven Victoria Crosses. In 1881 the two regiments amalgamated to form The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s). After amalgamation, battalions of the regiment served in: South Africa (Zululand), Boer War, India and the Far East.
The Regiment had twenty six battalions in World War I and nine in World War II. Since the Indian Mutiny, members of the Regiment have earned a further nine Victoria Crosses. Since World War II the 1st Battalion has served in Palestine, Korea, British Guiana, Berlin, Suez, Cyprus, Malaya and Singapore, Borneo, Aden, Germany, Falkland Islands, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) , gained extensive experience in Northern Ireland and has built a reputation in public order. In September 2003, the 1st Battalion moved to Howe Barracks in Canterbury and assumed a new role as Air Assault Infantry in the 16 Air Assault Brigade. Although the Brigade already has three Airborne Battalions (from the Parachute Regiment). The Argyll’s are the only Air Assault Battalion in the Army.
In 2004, the 1st Battalion took on a new role in Iraq – training the local Security Forces. The Argyll’s were given the task of training 5000 men of the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps (ICDC). This force, renamed the Iraqi National Guard on the transition of Authority, form a major component of Iraq‚s indigenous security forces.
The Royal Regiment of Scotland was born in March 2006 and now all the Scottish Infantry Battalions have become one Regiment, with roles: Armoured Infantry (using the Warrior tracked fighting vehicle), Air Assault (deployed by helicopter) and Light Role (Land Rovers for speed and mobility). The Regiment’s Battalions are based in Northern Ireland, Canterbury, Germany as well as around Scotland.
