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Top Appointments at 1st Mechanised Brigade
![Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC)](javascript:PopupPic("/owa/images/mechbrig.jpg");)
To the best of the Command Team's knowledge this is the first time that all three key Brigade appointments have been held by former Welbexians!
From left to right: Major Simon Holford REME (DCOS;70 Entry), Major Adrian Reilly SCOTS (COS; 74 Entry) and Brigadier Tyrone Urch OBE Late RE (Bde Comd; 57 Entry) proudly stand outside Headquarters 1st Mechanized Brigade in Tidworth, Wiltshire.
Brigadier Tyrone R Urch OBE (57 Entry)
Brigadier Urch was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1984. He spent the next 13 years at Regimental Duty in Airmobile, Amphibious, Armoured and Gurkha units supporting battle groups, brigades and divisions in Germany, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Hong Kong.
On completion of the inaugural joint staff course he was posted to HQ Land Command as the SO2 G3 Ops/O&D responsible for drafting the CinC's operational orders for Army deployments worldwide; he received the MBE and also qualified as a Chartered Civil Engineer during this period. He then commanded 20 Field Squadron for two superb years, deploying on tours to Belize and Northern Ireland.
On promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 2002 he completed a short stint as the SO1 CT & UK Ops coordinating Defence's response to the National Op FRESCO Firemen's Strike. He then assumed command of 22 Engineer Regiment in 1st Mechanized Brigade, deploying on Op TELIC 4 in 2004; he received the OBE on behalf of the Regiment. After command, he instructed at the Defence Academy before being posted to HQ Land Forces as the Assistant Director Commitments. He assumed command of 1st Mechanized Brigade in December 2008.
He is married to Gilli and they have two teenage children, Lauren (19) and Tim (17); his limited spare time is filled with mountaineering, keeping fit, playing squash, reading, standing in 'The Shed' supporting Gloucester Rugby, and walking two 'distressingly wilful' Border Terriers.
Major S W Holford REME (70 Entry)
Major Simon Holford was commissioned into the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 1991. After reading an in-service degree he spent the next 7 years at Regimental duty, supporting Airborne, Airmobile, Mechanized and Armoured units. He deployed on operations to Bosnia (3 times), Northern Ireland and Angola. This was followed by periods as an instructor at RMAS and as an Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
Following completion of Advance Command and Staff Training in 2004, he was posted as Military Assistant to Director General Army Training and Recruiting. Subsequently, he took command of 4 Armoured Company REME, deploying his Company to Poland, BATUS and Iraq (Op TELIC 11).
Major Holford is married to Michelle and they have two girls; Lottie (7) and Amelia (5). His 'spare' time is taken up by reading a MBA with the OU, running, cycling and providing a pioneer labour force for Michelle's gardening ambitions.
Major A P Reilly SCOTS (74 Entry)
Major Adrian Reilly was commissioned into The Gordon Highlanders, later The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) and now The Royal Regiment of Scotland, in 1992. He served in the light and mechanized roles as a junior officer and deployed to Northern Ireland during that time. He has subsequently served as an ADC, an RMAS instructor, as Adjutant of The Highlanders and as an SO3 at HQ 1 (UK) Armd Div. He deployed to the Balkans and Iraq in that time.
Since completing ICSC(L) 1, he completed initial staff working in DEC CC&II and then commanded an AI coy with 4 SCOTS in Germany before then assuming the role of COS HQ 1 Mech Bde.
Major Reilly has a young family and he enjoys Highland pursuits.
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