Royal Armoured Corps News

Tank Gun Wedding

22nd October 2007

A Trooper serving with the Queen's Royal Hussars has had a 'tank gun' wedding, marrying his bride under an arch formed by the barrels of his Squadron's Challenger 2 tanks.

And in the mud and cold of the military firing range in northern Germany, there was not a bridesmaid in sight, so it was left to a bunch of muddy combat-clothed soldiers from 'A' Squadron to catch the bride's bouquet.

Trooper Ryan Packer, aged 21, and his bride Chantelle, aged 18, had wed at a church service in a military chapel, but the couple moved to the Sennelager Training Area straight after the service to share their special day with a blessing ceremony from the unit's Padre. It was the final day of a two-week tank exercise and so the other members of the Regiment came out to show their support.

Tpr Packer, who returned from a seven month tour of Iraq with 20th Armoured Brigade last year, said:

"It was all a big surprise really – a very different wedding, but very good. Probably the most nerve-wracking bit for me was the walk up with the tanks lined up and all the guys in the Squadron waiting at the back.

"It's been a great day and worth it to be able to look back at the wedding pictures in a few years time."

A stretch limousine delivered the bride to the chapel in Dempsey Barracks, Sennelager before the couple were taken out to the military exercise area to join the other members of 'A' Squadron who had arranged their fourteen tanks to create an arched 'aisle' and fanned to form the 'church' while the wedding march was played over a portable stereo.

Newly-wed Chantelle explained:

"The lads have put so much effort in to make sure it's a special day for us – it's overwhelming. We knew we'd come up and we'd have the tanks, but nothing as spectacular as it's been today.

"I've had lots of surprises, from the limo that picked me up to having all the boys from 'A' Squadron here, so it's been really good. I was freezing this morning but I'm really happy – getting married to Ryan is like a dream come true for me."

The Chaplain to The Queen's Royal Hussars, Padre Stuart Richards, said:

"I've never known anything quite like this before. It was unusual because we decided to have it in two stages – a fairly traditional church service followed by a field service celebrating the wedding. The hymns and the readings were all transferred to the second part so we could have a congregation of people in their combats with their 'cam' cream on.

"The sound of small arms fire in the background and an avenue of tanks with their barrels raised was quite unusual. So much effort has been put into this – but it's ungrudging effort. It was great fun and worth it just to see Chantelle's reaction when she heard what they had lined up for her."

Major James Howard, Officer Commanding A Squadron, added:

"Ryan is a very popular figure within the Squadron and Chantelle has been to a number of our parties. So when he told us he was going to get married, we realised that we could give them a day to remember that would be truly unique.

"We were finishing the exercise last night and due to leave the exercise area and we thought 'why not bring them out from the church and allow them to celebrate with the Squadron?'.

"Traditionally in our regiment you would have a guard of honour comprised of the guys in that soldier's troop. Obviously we're on exercise and we're a bit short on swords, but we do have fourteen Challenger 2 tanks. I wish them the best, we've done all we can for them and it's over to them now."

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