A NEW Army HQ marked its first fully operational month in North Yorkshire with a service for its military and civilian staff in York Minster.

The 1st (UK) Division raised its flag of a white rhino on a black background at Imphal Barracks, Fulford in June when key staff, including the general officer commanding, Major General Giles Hill, took up post.

The divisional headquarters and a number of its regiments have moved over from Germany to various locations in the UK including York and Catterick with the bulk of the service personnel and their families moving during the school summer holidays.

The service, attended by over 100 staff, began with the reading of a roll of all units from the division currently deployed on operations overseas. Those from the division who have died recently were also remembered.

“Following our arrival in York from Germany, today’s service marks the start of a special affiliation between 1st (UK) Division and York Minster and we hope it will become our spiritual home,” said the Army’s assistant chaplain general, Padre Andrew Totten.

The divisional HQ staff formally started work in Imphal Barracks at the beginning of August.

The headquarters commands 25,000 regular and Reserve troops in seven adaptive brigades and a logistic brigade based as far afield as Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales as well as in the North and East of England.

The division's units help train other countries' security forces, are ready for rapid deployment to combat zones, and also play a community engagement role in the UK.