Scottish Centre for War Studies and Conflict Archaeology

In January 2005, the Scottish Centre for War Studies hosted a one-day seminar on the Future of the Infantry. It brought together some of the foremost participants in the current national discussion on the restructuring of the British Infantry.

Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Professor Hew Strachan (All Souls College, Oxford / University of Glasgow)

Session One: The Historical Background
'The regimental system', Professor Edward Spiers (University of Leeds)
'The army in Scotland', Mr Allan Carswell (National War Museum of Scotland)

Session Two: The Infantry in the Post-Cold War World
'The operational and tactical role of an infantry batallion: from a personal perspective', Lt Col John Donnelly (the Cheshire Regiment)
'Recruiting and retention in Scotland', Colonel Andrew Campbell (Chief of Staff, 2nd Division)

Session Three: An Alternative Structure
'The Political Dimension', Mr Keith Simpson MP
'A Case for Defense: Some Comments', Colonel Clive Fairweather (consultant)

Session Four: The Way Forward
'What is best in the regimental system', Lt. Gen. Sir Alistair Irwin (Adjutant General)
'The future of the infantry', Brigadier James Plastow (Commander, 2 Infantry Brigade)

Concluding Remarks
'Regimental Spirit', Mr Trevor Royle (Associate Editor, Sunday Herald)

First published: 18 November 2004